Liberia president George Weah made a sensational return to international football during a friendly with Nigeria on Tuesday evening.

The 51-year-old former Chelsea and Manchester City forward led the Liberia attack, but he could not recreate the kind of performance which earned him the World Player of the Year award in 1995 as a strong Super Eagles team ran out 2-1 winners in Monrovia.

Weah, who was elected as president in January this year, wore his famous number 14 shirt – which was retired after the arranged friendly in his honour – and was joined by former Lone Star team-mate and current national team manager James Debbah on the field.

Nigeria took the lead after 12 minutes when Everton’s on-loan Galatasaray striker Henry Onyekuru found the top corner before Crotone forward Simeon Nwankwo doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark with a well-timed header.

Stoke midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and Leicester duo Wilfried Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, who all featured at this summer’s World Cup in Russia, played some part in the fixture as the Super Eagles looked set for a routine victory at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium.

However, there was still time for a nervy finale as Rotherham centre-back Semi Ajayi handled in the penalty area, which was converted to halve the deficit with three minutes remaining, but Nigeria held on.