The Super Eagles of Nigeria progressed into the round of 16 following a 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in their final group A game at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com reports.
Jose Peseiro’s side came into this final fixture on the back of a superb 1-0 win over hosts Ivory Coast to stand in pole position of reaching the round 16 of the tournament against the Djurtus at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday.
With his mind on the next round already, the Portuguese tactician opted to replace midfielder Alex Iwobi with Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo, while Bright Osayi Samuel and Kenneth Omeruo started for the first time due to injuries to Zaidu Sanusi and vice-captain William Troost-Ekong.
An own-goal from Opa Sangante in the 36th minute settled the contest in Abidjan as the Super Eagles finished second of the group behind Equatorial Guinea, who humiliated Ivory Coast 4-0 in the concurrent fixture played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.
The Super Eagles could have gone in front early when Victor Osimhen dragged a shot narrowly past the far post in the third minute, although Nito Gomes threatened at the other end four minutes later with a strike from distance but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a comfortable save.
Nigeria then had another attempt through Aribo in the 21st minute but the block took the venom out of the shot before getting to goalkeeper Jonas Mendes. The Djurtus continued to try their luck from a distance when Dalcio drew a comfortable save out of Nwabali moments later.
The 2013 champions finally found their breakthrough on 36 minutes when Sangante diverted the ball past his goalkeeper in a bid to prevent Osimhen from getting on the end of a dangerous cross from Moses Simon aimed towards the back post. The Nigerians took that lead into halftime.
After the break, Osimhen went close again with a header that went wide off a cross from Ola Aina in the 56th minute, while Dalcio managed to work Nwabali with a curling effort from range moments later.
VAR quickly cut short Nigeria’s celebrations just before the half-hour mark when Osimhen had a goal ruled out for handball after he converted a low cross from close range. That was not all VAR did as it intervened twice more in the closing stages as Franculino Dju was deemed to be in an offside position when he ran through on goal before firing past Nwabali in the 82nd minute, while another Nigerian goal by substitute Sanusi was ruled out.
The Super Eagles will now face the runners-up of Group C (Guinea/Cameroon) in the round of 16 at this same venue on Saturday 27th January by 8pm (local time).
In the other group game which produced the most stunning result of the competition so far, Equatorial Guinea thumped Ivory Coast 4-0 in Ebimpe. The victory saw Nzalang Nacional top Group A, while the Elephants currently sit in third position on the log with the chances of reaching the next round hanging by a thread.
Tournament top scorer Emilio Nsue scored twice, while Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla scored the other goals to lead Obiang Bicogo’s side to a famous win on Monday evening.
For finishing top of the group, Equatorial Guinea will now face one of the best third-placed teams of group C/D/E at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday evening.
