Guinea Bissau 0-1 Nigeria: Moses Simon the hero as Nigeria regain top spot

By Wale Mustapha

Nigeria men’s national team got a sweet revenge over Guinea-Bissau as they secured a 1-0 victory in the 2023 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations qualifier encounter in Bissau on Monday.

Moses Simon’s strike from the spot in the 30th minute was all Jose Peseiro’s side required to claim their own pound of flesh against the Wild Dogs following a first leg defeat at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday.

Coach Peseiro made five changes to the starting XI that lost 1-0 in Abuja three days ago with new centreback pairing of Kenneth Omeruo and Semi Ajayi just as Frank Onyeka, Terem Moffi and Moses Simon started in the stead of Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman.

The new Super Eagles set up looked more direct and dominant as Terem Moffi went close to shoot Nigeria in front in the 22nd minute when a pass from Zaidu Sanusi met him in the box his half volley was blocked by Bissau defender.

The visitors, however had their nose in front on the stroke of half hour when Bright-Osayi was upended in the box and Moses Simon converted from the spot.

The Eagles almost doubled their lead but Ajayi headed over a corner from Simon five minutes from half time.

After the restart, the Wild Dogs stepped up their game in the opening stages with more adventurous moves but struggled to open the Eagles’ nest.

Victor Osimhen could have get his goal with two minutes before the hour mark but was denied by the upright after a lose ball fell to his path in the box.

There was a scare in Nigeria defense when the Guineans opened them up with a slice pass from Mama Balde to Cassama was put under pressure to convert before Sanusi cleared the line for Nigeria.

Simon combined well with Aribo in the 70th minute, but the latter tried a curling effort which the keeper partied to corner as Alex Iwobi, Osimhen and Frank Onyeka came close, although the trio could not make them count.

The Wild Dogs tried to make a late surge to put a spanner in Eagles’ wheel but the latter held on to their lead to return to summit of Group A and inch closer sealing a spot at the tournament in Ivory Coast.