Nigeria and Italy shared the honours in England yesterday in a 2 - 2 draw.
Giuseppe Rossi put Italy ahead early on but Nigeria hit back with two goals in five minutes before half-time, Bright Dike levelling before Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi put the African Nations Cup champions ahead. Both teams had their share of chances to win the game but were denied by great goalkeeping.
Only four players that started in Saturday's World Cup play-off victory over Ethiopia were included in Stephen Keshi's starting line-up. Balotelli set up Rossi in the box and the former Manchester United striker's left-footed strike beat Nigeria goalkeeper Austine Ejide.
Nigeria almost equalised in the 13th minute when Sirigu was forced at full stretch to turn away Ogenyi Onazi's bullet strike from outside the area. Balotelli then missed a golden chance before the half-hour mark when he failed to beat Ejide on a one-on-one.
It proved costly as Nigeria equalised in the 35th minute when Dike headed Ameobi's cross past a helpless Sirigu. The African side went in front five minutes later. A fast break from Nigeria surprised Italy's defence and saw Ameobi get on the end of Francis Benjamin's cross from the left and strike the ball past Sirigu to silence the Italian supporters.
Before half-time, Balotelli played a one-two with Rossi and his right-footed strike was kept out by Ejide.
Italy drew level early in the second half when Antonio Candreva spotted an unmarked Giaccherini in the left side of the box and his left-footed shot beat Ejide.
Before the hour mark, Ejide made a vital save to deny substitute Andrea Pirlo's curled free-kick before the Nigeria goalkeeper was forced out out of the action soon after through injury, with Vincent Enyeama taking his place.
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