The Super Eagles of Nigeria celebrate goal against Guinea-Bissau in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group A encounter, at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
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Nigeria Reaches AFCON Knockout Stages After Tough Win

By Chidi Nwoke, Abuja.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 1-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau in their Group A encounter, courtesy of an own goal by defender Opa Sangante, at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigeria dominated the game, but poor finishing meant it was a tense encounter, with Victor Osimhen missing several chances to secure the three points earlier in the contest. Both teams also had late goals correctly ruled out for offside.

Nigeria finishes Group A in second place level on points (7) with leaders Equatorial Guinea, who have a superior goal difference. Hosts Cote d’Ivoire are in third place with 3 points, while Guinea-Bissau have zero (0).

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire were thrashed 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea. They are now forced to wait until Wednesday to see if their third-placed finish in Group A is enough to progress.

Preview

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be looking to seal qualification for the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), tagged Cote d’Ivoire 2023, when they take on the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau in their last Group A game, at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

For Guinea Bissau, they are seeking to end its winless run at the AFCON and would fancy their chances against the Super Eagles, whom they defeated in the AFCON qualifiers in 2023.

Nigeria stared with African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen in attack, with Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon supporting on the wings.

For Guinea-Bissau, Zinho Gano led the line for the Djurtus while Famana Quizera and Carlos Mendes Gomes were on the flanks.

KICK OFF!!!

1′ We are off at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, where Nigeria are taking on Guinea-Bissau in their Africa Cup of Nations Group A encounter.

2′ Nigeria drives forward in search of a goal early on, but striker Osimhen is flagged offside.

4′ Throw-in for Guinea-Bissau in their own half.

7′ Guinea-Bissau midfielder Nito Gomes gets a shot on target but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali makes a good save.

8′ Guinea-Bissau awarded a free-kick in their half.

14′ Frank Onyeka of Nigeria drives forward but wins a corner after Guinea-Bissau defends well.

15′ Nigeria flagged offside again after midfielder Bright Osayi-Samuel receives a pass from Onyeka.

17′ Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Jonas Asvedo Mendes clears the ball after an attempt from Osimhen. The referee flags Nigeria for offside again. The Super Eagles putting the pressure on their opponents as they seek all three (3) points.

20′Osimhen tees off Joe Aribo, but Guinea Bissau defenders block the shot.

22′ Osayi-Samuel blocks an attempted cross. Corner kick for Guinea-Bissau.

24′ Ball goes out of play for a Guinea-Bissau goal kick.

26′ Referee Bouchra Karboubi signals a free-kick to Guinea-Bissau in their half.

28′ Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze gets a shout for a handball after firing a shot off, but no reaction from the referee.

30′ The Super Eagles get a goal kick.

34′ The referee awards a goal kick to Nigeria.

37′ GOAL!!!! Nigeria takes the lead after an own goal by Guinea-Bissau defender defender Opa Sangante. In an attempt to block a cross from Moses Simon, the defender put the ball into his own net. 1-0!!

44′ Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi gets a yellow card for a challenge.

45′ The referee signals 4 minutes of added time.

45+3′ Free-kick awarded to Guinea-Bissau after some pressure from Nigeria in their box.

45+4′ Victor Osimhen misses a glancing header after he was found unmarked in the box.

45+5′ HALFTIME!!! The referee blows the halftime whistle as Nigeria leads Guinea-Bissau 1-0.

The first half ended with the Super Eagles leading Guinea-Bissau 1-0 after a thrilling first half at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

The players are coming out for the second half of this thrilling encounter. Would both sides change tactics in search of three (3) precious points? Lets find out.

Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Cande makes two changes, with Marciano Sanca Tchami replacing Carlos Mendes, while Franculino comes on for striker Zinho Gano.

47′ Moses Simon tried to round Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Mendes, but the shot-stopper does well to make the save.

50′ Frank Onyeka is shown a yellow card by the referee.

51′ Guinea-Bissau pushes forward in search of a goal, but forward Famana Quizera’s shot goes wide of the goal.

56′ Super Eagles right-back Ola Aina gets a cross in, but Osimhen heads wide.Osimhen 

57′ Guinea-Bissau’s Dalcio Gomes tests Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali, but he makes a good save.

58′ Nigeria gets a shout for a penalty after Osayi-Samuel went down in Guinea Bissau’s box, but the referee waves the protests away.

59′ GOAL!!! Osimhen puts the ball in the net for Nigeria, but the referee disallows the goal for offside.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen (9) scores, but the goal is chalked off for offside.

61′ Joe Aribo wins a corner kick for Nigeria. 

62′ Substitution for Nigeria as Frank Onyeka goes off for Raphael Onyedika, while Alex Iwobi replaces Joe Aribo.

64′ Iwobi gets a shot off for Nigeria, but his strike is off target.

68′ Substitution for Guinea Bissau as Ze Turbo replaces Famana Quizera.

69′ Ola Aina fires a shot well over the bar. We are now approaching the final 20 minutes of this highly anticipated encounter in Abidjan.

72′ Free-kick to Guinea-Bissau.

75′ Thrown-in to Nigeria in their own half.

78′ Victor Osimhen misses another header after he was setup by defender Ola Aina.

80′ Substitution for Guinea-Bissau as Fali Cande replaces Nanu. Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro makes another change as Ademola Lookman replaces Samuel Chukwueze for Nigeria. Zaidu Samuel comes on for Bright Osayi-Samuel.

82′ Nigeria miss a chances to extend its lead as Mose Simon’s shot is blocked in the box. The rebounds falls to Osimhen but he is flagged for offside in the box.

83′ Substitute Tchami fires in a rocket for Guinea-Bissau, but he is flagged for offside.

84′ GOAL!!!!! Nigeria scores a second through substitute Zaidu Samuel, but the defender is caught offside. Its all live action at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

86′ Corner kick for Guinea-Bissau.

88′ Guinea-Bissau makes another change as Alfa Semedo comes on for Dalcio Gomes.

90+2′ Goal kick for Guinea-Bissau.

90+3′ Ola Aino goes off for Nigeria as he is replaced by Chidozie Awaziem.

90+4′ Yellow card shown to Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey for time wasting.

90+5′ The referee blows the final whistle as Nigeria qualifies for the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau in Abidjan.

 

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