Three-time African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles narrowly defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in their last Group A match at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast on Monday to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.
The win moves Nigeria second in Group A with seven points in Group A, three points behind Ivory Coast who lost 4-0 to table leader Equatorial Guinea in one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Nigeria opened the score line in the 36th minute with an own goal from Guinea-Bissau defender Opa Sangante from a beautiful cross from Moses Simon in the left flank.
The Super Eagles began this year’s tournament with a disappointing draw against Equatorial Guinea but things clicked into gear against Ivory Coast.
Troost-Ekong penalty hands Nigeria vital 1-0 win over Ivory Coast on Thursday. while Victor Osimhen grabbed a vital equaliser for the Super Eagles in their draw against Equatorial Guinea.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro started Stanley Nwabali in the goalkeeping position, while Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Kenneth Omeruo and Ola Aina started from the defence line with Frank Onyeka and Bright Osayi-Samuel providing backup
Moses Simon, Joe Aribo and Samuel Chukwueze provided support in the midfield and Victor Osimhen powered Nigeria’s attack.
The first half kicked off the game with both teams looking to generate scoring opportunities.
Nigeria already controls the game and wants to secure its advantage of scoring as Osimhen missed an opportunity to add to Nigeria’s goal tally but his header went off the goal post.
The second half resumed and Nigeria kept on pushing for a second goal, Osimhen almost doubled Nigeria’s lead when he bundled the ball home from close range just before the hour mark, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a brief VAR check.
