Nigeria started the brighter of the two sides and almost got an early boost when Ahmed Musa won a free kick after he was stepped on by Hector Moreno in the third minute. Super Eagles continued to ask attacking questions in the early stages and Victor Moses had a penalty claim waved away in the eighth minute by the Costa Rican referee, Walter Quesada.
In the 11th minute, Emmanuel Emenike was denied what would have represented a most delightful goal by the Mexican goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa who produced a big stop to beat out the powerful strike by the Fernabahce forward from inside the box.
Ochoa was called to duty yet again as he produced an even better stop to deny SS Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi from range seconds after Emenike had come close to giving Nigeria the lead.
The West Africans were clearly on top and the Mexicans were on the ropes. They needed some inspiration from somewhere and it soon arrived.
That however did not arrive until the 18th minute when Victor Moses somehow failed to score after he charged impressively into the Mexico box.
At this stage, the Mexicans were now keeping the ball better and stringing passes together.
Hector Herrera finally gave the Mexican fans something to cheer about when his rasping drive from outside the box in the 23rd minute just flew over Enyeama’s goal.
Three minutes later, Enyeama produced a save from point blank range that defied logic after Mexico captain, Rafael Marquez connected powerfully with a header off a corner.
Four minutes later, the Mexicans came close again but this time, Oribe Peralta’s belter just missed the target by inches.
The Mexicans were now camped in the Nigeria goal and on 32 minutes, Enyeama had to show some fine reflexes to claw the ball away from the path of Luis Montes who was lurking dangerously.
The traffic on the Nigeria goal continued in the 34th minute when Herrera delivered a sharp cross for Hernandez, who tried to karate-kick the ball in but Enyeama bravely cut in front of him to punch away.
Mexico started the second half the brighter of the two sides and almost got their reward two minutes in but Ejide was on the right spot to save from Peralta.
Fortuna Düsseldorf defender, Leon Balogun replaced Efe Ambrose at the break but was substituted in the 66th minute after he picked up an injury in fortuitous circumstances.
The 25-year-old clattered into the advertising hoardings as he attempted a clearance and his evening came to a premature end.
Musa got behind the Mexican defence in the 56th minute and should have scored but for an impressive stop by Ochoa.
Mexico responded immediately but substitute, Alan Pulido was denied by a fine low save by Ejide as the game stirred to life again.
Ramon Azzez had a chance to score on his debut in the 67th minute but side-footed wide from inside the box after some good work from Moses down the flanks.
A minute later, Ejide produced a fine double save, the second from the impressive Pulido, to keep the score line even.
The Super Eagles were cut apart in the 73rd minute but Jimenez failed to connect with precision off Guardado’s inviting cross from the left.
Nigeria and Mexico traded chances again late on; Nsofor for Nigeria in the 82nd minute and Mexico, through a rasping Pulido drive beaten out by the impressive Ejide.
Mexico continued to advance menacingly toward the Nigerian goal and Jimenez eventually got the better of Ejide in the 84th minute but could only hit the side netting.
Imoh almost snatched a late winner for Nigeria but saw his deflected strike in the 89th minute comfortably collected by Ochoa.
The 68,220 fans in attendance at the Georgia Dome were loving it as the two sides continued to go for the win.
Obinna’s poor free kick represented the last chance in the game as both sides settled for the draw.
Both coaches will be delighted with the result and even more so, with the performances of their charges.
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Rafael Márquez, Andres Guardado, Paul Aguilar, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Luis Montes, Juan Carlos Medina, Hector Herrera, Oribe Peralta, Javier Hernández.
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama (Austin Ejide 46’), Uwa Echiejile, Efe Ambrose (Leon Balogun 46’ ; Azubuike Egwuekwe 66’), Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses (Imoh Ezekiel 71’), Ogenyi Onazi, Emmanuel Emenike, Michael Uchebo (Ramon Azeez 46’), Ahmed Musa (Victor Obinna 60’).
Bookings: Kenneth Omeruo (69’); John Obi Mikel (76’) and Emmanuel Emenike (80’)
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