Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi's last minute equaliser rescued African champions Super Eagles from a potential defeat to Kenya's Harambee Stars in a Brazil 2014 World Cup Group F qualifier as both sides played a 1-1 draw at the packed UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on Saturday.
Fans— who were anxious to watch the Eagles since their 2013 AFCON triumph in South Africa last month—filled the stadium to capacity but they were left bewildered after the Kenyans went ahead in the first half through Francis Nyambura.
Kenya have not beaten Nigeria in 13 previous confrontations, but this time they were determined to upstage their more-fancied hosts and the Nigerians did not help matters as they threw away begging chances.
Coach Stephen Keshi's line-up had two new faces; Seattle Sounders new signing, Obafemi Martins in attack and home-based Solomon Kwambe at right-back while Oduamadi and Portugal-based John Ogu came on as substitutes.
Victor Moses should have put the Eagles ahead in the 22nd minute after a fine pass from the returning Martins but the Chelsea forward hesitated, allowing Mandala Onyango to clear into safety.
Home fans' jubilation four minutes later was cut short after Brown Ideye's effort was ruled offside.
But it was the Kenyans who opened score in the 36th minute courtesy of Nyambura's freekick, which caught goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama napping.
Four minutes after the break, Kenya keeper, Tieno denied Moses an equaliser, parrying the winger's shot into corner.
The Kenyans defended in numbers as Nigeria failed to find a way through and all hope seemed lost until Varese forward Oduamadi clinched the all-important equaliser in added time to rescue Nigeria from an embarrassing defeat.
The Eagles now have five points from three matches in the group, while Kenya have two points. Malawi defeated Namibia 1-0 in Windhoek in the group's other match.
In other African qualifiers played on Saturday, Congo defeated Gabon 1-0 while Cameroon overcame Togo 2-1 in Yaoundé.
