Sports
Iwobi red carded as Jordan holds Nigeria to 2-2 draw
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi was red carded as FIFA World Cup-bound Jordan had to dig deep to secure a 2-2 draw against the Super Eagles in an international friendly played on Tuesday night at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey.
Nigeria wrapped up their March international window against the Jordan side currently ranked 64th in the world.
Jordan stunned the Super Eagles early in the 17th minute, as Mousa Tamari converted a well-rehearsed free-kick routine to give the hosts the lead.
Nigeria appeared to equalize six minutes later when Raphael Onyedika finished off a clever cut-back from Moses Simon, but the goal was controversially ruled out.
The breakthrough finally came in the 30th minute when Simon, captaining the team on his 97th appearance, reacted quickest after Ademola Lookman’s effort was blocked to score with a clinical left-footed finish—his second goal in as many games this month.
The turnaround was completed just before halftime. Bright Osayi-Samuel delivered a pinpoint cross to Emmanuel Fernandez, making his full international debut. The Glasgow Rangers forward showed great composure to control and fire a left-footed strike, giving Nigeria a 2-1 lead going into the break.
The second half grew more physical. In the 57th minute, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was replaced by Adebayo Adeleye after a clearance incident. To strengthen the midfield, coach Eric Chelle introduced veterans Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi for Yira Sor and Onyedika, with Iwobi earning his 98th cap.
Jordan’s resilience eventually paid off in the 77th minute, as they leveled the score. Nigeria tried to regain the advantage, handing a senior debut to Philip Otele, who replaced Frank Onyeka, while Samuel Chukwueze came on for Simon. The closing stages were tense, culminating in a straight red card for Iwobi.
A Somali referee, Omar Artan, prevented from entering the United States of America to officiate at the world cup, will not get any help from the world football governing body, FIFA.
FIFA said it could not intervene, stressing that visa and entry decisions rest solely with host governments.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Artan was denied entry after routine inspection, citing “vetting concerns.”
The Somali government expressed “deep regret” over his exclusion, saying Artan “represents the very best of Somali talent.”
The controversy comes as the expanded FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup prepares to begin under heightened political tensions.
said the “biggest dream of my life” was taken away after he was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, following what authorities described as vetting concerns.
Artan, who was named Referee of the Year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, has since been removed from FIFA’s list of tournament officials after he was refused entry on arrival in Miami on Saturday.
The decision comes amid broader immigration restrictions linked to travel bans introduced under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which include Somalia among several affected countries.
A U.S. State Department United States Department of State official told AFP that Artan was considered “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a claim that rendered him “inadmissible” under U.S. entry rules.
Following an 11-hour interview with border officials in Miami ,Miami, Artan said he was moved to a holding facility before being placed on a flight back to Istanbul.
“I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream… to come to the World Cup,” he told The New York Times The New York Times in a phone interview, adding that he had valid documen
tation and a visa.
A Somali referee, Omar Artan, has said the “biggest dream of my life” was taken away after he was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, following what authorities described as vetting concerns.
Artan, who was named Referee of the Year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football Confederation of African Football, has since been removed from FIFA’s list of tournament officials after he was refused entry on arrival in Miami on Saturday.
The decision comes amid broader immigration restrictions linked to travel bans introduced under the administration of the U.S. President Donald Trump Donald Trump, which include Somalia among several affected countries.
A U.S. State Department United States Department of State official told AFP that Artan was considered “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a claim that rendered him “inadmissible” under U.S. entry rules.
Following an 11-hour interview with border officials in Miami Miami, Artan said he was moved to a holding facility before being placed on a flight back to Istanbul.
“I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream… to come to the World Cup,” he told The New York Times The New York Times in a phone interview, adding that he had valid documentation and a visa.
FIFA said it could not intervene, stressing that visa and entry decisions rest solely with host governments.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Artan was denied entry after routine inspection, citing “vetting concerns.”
The Somali government expressed “deep regret” over his exclusion, saying Artan “represents the very best of Somali talent.”
The controversy comes as the expanded FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup prepares to begin under heightened political tensions.
Iran, one of the participating teams, has reportedly faced logistical disruptions, including changes to training arrangements and visa issues affecting staff and supporters, according
to football authorities.
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