National Teams
AFCON 2023: Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea: Osimhen rescues Super Eagles in opener
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria made an unconvincing start to their campaign in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea at the Stade Alassane Ouattara, Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.
The Central Africans stormed to a first half before reigning Africa Player of the Year Osimhen responsed immediate to rescue the West Africans from a losing start despite wasting pletora of goalscoring chances.
Jose Peseiro handed Stanley Nwabali his AFCON debut between the sticks alongside defensive quartet of Ola Aina, Zaidu Zanusi, William Troost Ekong, Semi Ajayi, as well as midfield trio of Alhassan Abdullahi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, plus attacking trio if Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, and Ademola Lookman.
Iwobi almost gave the Super Eagles an early lead when he had the first chance seconds into the match but his effort outside the box went straight into the arms of goalkeeper Jesus Lazaro Owono.
Osimhen also had a chance but his attempt went over the bar from outside the box in the fifth minute.
In the 10th minute, Sanusi also missed a chance to give the three-time African champions the lead from a rebound.
Alhassan Abdullahi also saw his half-volley from outside the box going over the bar.
Against the run of play, the Nzalang Nacional scored the first goal of the game as Ivan Edu Salvador broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.
Super Eagles had an instant response by leveling the scoreline in the 38th minute thanks to Osimhen who latched on to a cross from the left wing.
Simon had his shot in the additional minutes of the first half saved by Owono and after the interval, Pablo Ganet Comitre’s shot went over the bar.
In the 76th minute, Osimhen had a one-on-one chance which was also missed.
In the end, both sides shared the spoils and have two points deficit behind host, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s next opponent on Thursday.
The result means Nigeria are third on the Group A log – and sit two-point adrift of leaders and next foes, the Ivorians, who defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in their opening match on Saturday.
