John Mikel Obi made his return to playing action in Nigeria’s first warm-up game ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The midfielder had not played since coming off with a knee injury during Chelsea’s Boxing Day win at Norwich but he completed Nigeria’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde Islands, in a match held in Faro, Portugal where they are holding their training camp.
Victor Moses also played the full 90 minutes with Kenneth Omeruo, the 19-year-old centre-back who signed for Chelsea last January and is on loan at Den Haag, coming on at half-time for his first appearance for the full national side.
Mikel came close to winning the game eight minutes from time but his shot was saved.
The Africa Cup of Nations begins in South Africa on 19 January, with Nigeria beginning against Burkina Faso on 21 January.