Super Eagles held by resilient Cranes as Chukwueze makes debut
The Super Eagles were better placed to secure a win in their maiden game after booking a spot to next year’s African Cup of Nations finals but Sebastien Desabre’s selfish defence held firm to continue their impressive run so far.
While Sporting Charleroi striker Victor Osimhen, on his full debut, failed to convince Super Eagles fans, debutant and former U17 teammate Samuel Chukwueze impressed.
Expectedly, Gernot Rohr rang the changes with only five players from Saturday’s game against South Africa retaining their spot in a refreshing 4-3-3 set-up.
In-form Villarreal winger Chukwueze was handed his debut on the right side of the attack with Osimhen leading the line, and captain Ahmed Musa adding his experience to an exciting attack.
The Super Eagles took the initiative in the opening exchanges with right winger Chukwueze showing flashes of brilliance but it was the visitors that had carved out the first real chance of the game.
The both first half ended with sides creating few chances and Rohr made three changes before the second 45 minutes started, with only Musa retaining his spot in the forward line as Isaac Success and Samuel Kalu came on.
Kalu duly took over the tormentor-in-chief role from his replacement Chukwueze, causing the Uganda defence all sort of problems and even came close to opening the scoring with a long-range free-kick in the 70th minute.
With eight minutes left, the Bordeaux star sought to create the winner off another well-taken indirect free-kick, but the Cranes were quick to clear their lines.
The impressive Agu would have been the hero of the evening but he directed his header from another Kalu delivery slightly off the target as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.