Zimpapers Logo

LONDON. — Italy and Nigeria signed off for the year 2013 with a breathlessly entertaining 2-2 draw in a friendly international soccer match at Fulham’s Craven Cottage stadium in London on Monday night. The match came just two days after Nigeria secured qualification for the World Cup, but Stephen Keshi’s much-changed side showed great heart to hit back through Bright Dike and Shola Ameobi after

Giuseppe Rossi had marked his international return by breaking the deadlock.

Italy equalised shortly after half-time through Emanuele Giaccherini, but despite the Azzurri twice hitting the frame of the goal in an occasionally frenetic second period, they were unable to avoid succumbing to a fourth consecutive draw.

Rossi and Mario Balotelli are seen as Italy’s first-choice front two in waiting and they provided an illustration of their potential as strike partners by combining for the opening goal in the 12th minute.

Balotelli brilliantly turned Azubuike Egwuekwe and fed the onrushing Rossi, who sharply re-adjusted his feet before lifting a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Austine Ejide.

It was Rossi’s first Italy goal since June 2011, after he spent 17 months on the sidelines due to a succession of knee injuries. In response,

Ogenyi Onazi tested Salvatore Sirigu’s reflexes with a 25-yard snapshot, but Italy continued to press, with Riccardo Montolivo going close and Ejide spreading himself well to block from Balotelli — AFP.