National Teams
Nigeria 1-0 Guinea Bissau: Super Eagles seal Round of 16 berth with 100th Afcon win
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria’s senior men’s national team won their 100th game of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 1-0 success over Guinea Bissau in the last Group A match in Abidjan on Monday.
Coach Jose Peseiro started Stanley Nwabali in goal alongside Calvin Bassey, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Bright Osayi Samuel, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Baciro Cande gave starters shirts to Jonas Mendes, Nanu, Opa Sangare, Edgar Ie, Houboulang Mendes, Nito, Janio Bikel, Carlos Mendes, Dalcio, Famana Quizera, and Zinho Gano.
The three-time African champions started on the front foot before Guinea Bissau gradually grew into the game.
The West Africans’ threat counted for something as they scored the opener in the 36th minute.
A cross from the left wing was played into the net by Opa Sangare who was trying to clear the ball.
Osimhen had the chance to double the lead in the additional minutes of the first half but his bullet header inside the penalty area went wide.
He thought he had doubled the lead for the West Africans at the hour mark but his goal was ruled out for a handball after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.
Equatorial Guinea’s 3-0 win over host, Cote D’Ivoire ensured that the former finished top of Group A with seven points and superior goal difference ahead of Nigeria.
The Elephants with three points settled for third position with three points.
