Announced favorite of Group A with Ivory Coast, Nigeria nevertheless failed to do better than a draw on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea (1-1), during its first match of CAN 2024. Victor Osimhen’s band was even led before the equalizer for the 2023 African Ballon d’Or.
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The Super Eagles failed to take off at the African Cup. Against Equatorial Guinea, Victor Osimhen and his teammates conceded a draw (1-1) on Sunday January 14. A worrying performance as they meet Ivory Coast on Thursday for the Group A clash.
The images of jubilation from the day before at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ebimpé are over. The enclosure is sadly empty for Nigeria’s entry into the match, even if the Super Eagles fans made the trip to set the mood.
On the ground, Nigeria quickly displays the qualities of its faults. Of course, the team’s ability to defend is still questionable but the offensive sector shines from the first moments. Alex Iwobi shoots first (1st) then sends a cross to Victor Osimhen, too short to take over (3rd).
The African player of the year 2023 took advantage a few moments later of a loss of low ball from Nzalang to try his luck. To his right, Moses Simon is furious: the Nantais player was unmarked and well placed (5th).
Equatorial Guinea endures a lot but ends up raising its head. The inevitable Equatoguinean captain Emilio Nsue performs a number in the Nigerian area and collapses in front of the goal, however, the referee does not whistle a penalty but an offside (15th). The start of a rebalancing of the Group A duel. From a corner, it is José Machin’s turn to try his luck (24th).
National lightning strikes first
The match gets carried away once the half hour of play has passed. Equatorial Guinea opened the scoring thanks to a strike from Ivan Salvador Edu (35th, 0-1). Response from the shepherd to the shepherdess of the Super Eagles: Victor Osimhen immediately equalizes by jumping higher than everyone (38th, 1-1) for his first goal in the African Cup.
Just before half-time, Moses Simon found the post after a last-minute deflection from Nzalang goalkeeper Owono (45th+2). Enough to portend an enticing second period.
Nigeria puts the pressure on from the start with Yusuf who excels in passing and shooting (49th, 51st). Osimhen is not to be outdone, serving on a Lookman board (53rd) before himself failing in front of Owono (55th).
The Super Eagles are sharper and try to accelerate in this second half but the minutes tick by without finding the fault. José Pereiro brings Chukwueze in place of Simon to try to inspire his men (68th).
However, it is an exploit from Osimhen that the Super Eagles are relying on. Launched offside, the winner of the Marc-Vivien Foé 2020 prize is alone in front of Owono. But the Naples gunner closes his foot too much and doesn’t frame his shot (75th).
Read alsoThe classification of group A
The winning goal will never come. Equatorial Guinea achieves a big blow by taking a point against Nigeria and could take an option for the round of 16, Thursday against Guinea-Bissau. As for the Nigerians, they will have to play with fear against the Elephants if they want to survive in this CAN.
