Nigeria secured their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau, thanks to an own goal from Opa Sangante in the first half.
The win was enough to earn Nigeria a second-place finish in Group A, with seven points from three games, behind surprise package Equatorial Guinea on goal difference.
The game was dominated by Nigeria, with their offensive prowess on full display.
Moses Simon sent in a low cross from the left that was intended for Victor Osimhen.
Still, Sangante’s attempted clearance only steered the ball into the roof of his net after 36 minutes.
Despite their dominance, Nigeria’s poor finishing made it a tense encounter to the end, with Osimhen missing several chances to secure the three points earlier in the contest.
Additionally, both teams had late goals correctly ruled out for offside.
Nigeria’s journey to qualification was marked by both moments of brilliance and tense defensive maneuvers.
The first half showcased the Super Eagles’ offensive prowess, with Victor Osimhen spearheading the front line.
The Nigerian striker displayed an early attempt at goal in the 2nd minute, setting the tone for the team’s proactive approach.
However, the first 45 minutes also saw Nigeria grappling with offside decisions, as Osayi-Samuel and Osimhen found themselves caught in offside positions.
In the second half, Guinea Bissau strived to level the score, but the Super Eagles defense, led by goalkeeper Nwabali, remained resolute.
The match’s latter stages were not without drama, with both teams seeking to make an impact.
Nigeria’s Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi had opportunities to further extend the lead, but their attempts did not find the mark.
Osimhen had a goal disallowed for handball in the 58th minute, adding to the intensity of the contest.
The physical nature of the game was evident as Frank Onyeka received a yellow card in the 47th minute for a robust challenge on Gomes, presenting Guinea Bissau with a free-kick opportunity.
The Djurtus were unable to convert, and the Super Eagles maintained their defensive solidity.
In the 62nd minute, Nigeria made substitutions, bringing on Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi for Frank Onyeka and Joe Aribo, respectively, to provide fresh impetus and secure the team’s lead.
As the clock ticked down, Guinea Bissau pushed for an equalizer, but Nwabali’s timely interventions in goal kept the Super Eagles ahead.
The match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Nigeria, marking their passage to the AFCON knockout stage.
The aftermath of the game witnessed a surge of emotions from both sets of fans.
While the Super Eagles celebrated their qualification, Guinea Bissau supporters expressed frustration, leading to some unrest in the stadium.
The Super Eagles will now await their opponent in the knockout stage, eager to continue their pursuit of AFCON glory.
