LONDON
World
Cup finals bound Nigeria had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with
Scotland in London in a match which is subject to a match fixing
investigation.
The build-up to the game between the
Africa Cup of Nations champions and the improving Scots had been
overshadowed by reports that Britain's serious crime squad had launched a
match fixing investigation.
The National Crime Agency,
which investigates serious and organised crime, is said to have asked
world football's governing body FIFA to issue an alert over attempts to
influence the game at Fulham's stadium Craven Cottage.
(READ: Nigeria's clash faces probe)
The
NCA are said to have told FIFA they have general information from Asian
betting markets suggesting there had been attempts to rig the friendly
and they hoped to stop any suspect activities by issuing the alert.
A
FIFA spokesman said they worked closely with law enforcement agencies
and other sports organisations to tackle match manipulation, and
encouraged anyone with information to contact their integrity hotline or
confidential reporting system.
On the pitch Scotland
-- now unbeaten in six games under Gordon Strachan -- made the perfect
start as Charlie Mulgrew opened the scoring after 10 minutes before
Michael Uchebo equalised with four minutes left of the first half.
Scotland
came out with plenty of fight after the break and Nigerian goalkeeper
Azubuike Egwuekwe turned in James Morrison's cross in the 52nd minute to
put the Scots back into the lead.
But super-sub Uche Nwofor converted an equaliser in stoppage time of a game in which they had looked second best throughout.
Mulgrew
didn't know too much about his opener as James Morrison rifled in a
shot from the edge of the box which cannoned off his team-mate's foot
and looped up and over goalkeeper Austine Ejide in the 10th minute.
There
had been early warning signs for the Super Eagles as Watford's Ikechi
Anya, who has a Nigerian father and was eligible to play for the
opposition, dragged a shot wide in the opening five minutes.
The
game was the 'host's' last before flying to play Greece and then the
United States in North America and kicking off their games in Brazil
against Iran on June 16 in Curitiba.
And despite a
sluggish start they were back in it when Ucehbo's 25-yard shot flew into
the back of the net with the help of a deflection off Grant Hanley.
The Scots re-took the lead soon after the break through more impressive play.
The
roar of the Scottish supporters boosted their players and West Brom's
Morrison saw his shot turned into his own net by Egwuekwe.
However, Nwofor sent the Super Eagles flying again as he turned in a 90th-minute effort from close range past Allan McGregor.
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