Nigeria won the match 2-1 against Iran in an international friendly held on March 27, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey. This victory marks Nigeria’s second win over Iran, with their previous victory dating back to 1998.
The match began with an early goal from Nigeria’s Moses Simon, who found the net in the 6th minute, assisted by Samuel Chukwueze. Nigeria doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Akor Adams scored, with Ademola Lookman providing the assist.
Iran managed to score a goal in the second half through Mehdi Taremi, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match. This friendly was part of Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The last meeting between Nigeria and Iran was at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which ended in a draw. Observers noted that this match served as a critical opportunity for Nigeria to assess their squad ahead of the qualifiers.
Eric Chelle, the head coach of Nigeria, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of these friendly matches in building team cohesion and strategy.
Nigeria’s next fixture is scheduled against Jordan on March 31, 2026, as they continue their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of this match on the players’ fitness and readiness for upcoming competitions.
