AFCON: Super Eagles defeat Guinea-Bissau, qualify for round of 16

Super Eagles beat Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in the last match of Group A tie of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to qualify for tthe round of 16.

Jose Peseiro’s men went into the match with much-needed confidence after beating host Ivory Coast courtesy of a well taken penalty from skipper Troost Ekong

The Portuguese fielded a lineup that saw Kenneth Omeruo coming in for Ekong to captain the Nigerian side as well as Joe Aribo replacing Everton’s Alex Iwobi, while Alhassan Yusuf was still sidelined with an injury.

Guinea-Bissau claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win at the MKO Abiola Stadium on game week four of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series and were hoping for a repeat .

Osimhen made his intentions known as early as the 5th-minute of the match but his shot went off the mark barely troubling the opposition goalkeeper.

Despite early pressure from the Suoer Eagles the Wild Dogs kept their composure and grew into the match as Nito tried his luck from distance, as but Stanley Nwabali would make a comfortable save.

A point would be enough for Nigeria to go through but Guinea Bissau were keen to deny sucj opportunity with a claim to the lion share of possession

Guinea-Bissau were giving the Suoer Eagles defence some trouble as Dalcio Gomes was not far away  from getting on the end of a n overneard ball that beat Omeruo.

However ,Nigeria would get a fortuitous break in the 37th-minute as Moses Simon’s cross was smashed into

Osimhen would have a chance to double Nigeria;s lead in the latter stages of the first half but Osimhen couln’t quite make contact to cross from Simon.

The second half resumed with Simon misssing a glorious chance to make it two as Mendes stretched out an arm to claims the ball.

Osimhen felt he had gotten his goal in the 62nd minute but the VAR would rule him offside.

AFP