Despite making as many as eight changes to their starting XI, the Super Eagles beat Guinea Bissau 2-0 for their third straight game at the AFCON in Cameroon to head into Sunday’s knockout game in fine style.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen thus maintained a 100% win record in the AFCON group stage having also won his three group games at the 2006 AFCON in Egypt.
Nigeria topped Group D with nine points, while Egypt pick the other qualification ticket on six points after they defeated Sudan 1-0 in The Nile Derby in Yaounde.
Sadiq Umar opened scoring for the Eagles in the 56th minute, when he put away a through ball by Kelechi Iheanacho by the far post.
This was just moments after Iheanacho’s audacious lob from distance was tipped away for a corner by the scrambling Guinea Bissau goalkeeper Maurice Gomis.
Nigeria doubled their lead in the 75th minute after captain William Ekong helped home a rebound after a superb mazy solo run by substitute Moses Simon.
It took a few minutes before VAR overturned the referee’s decision to chalk off the effort.
Nigeria took the game to Guinea Bissau in the first-ever meeting at full international level between these two West African countries.
However, it was Guinea Bissau who got the chance to take the lead as early as the 10th minute, when Mama Balde went through on goal but brave goalkeeping by Francis Uzoho denied him the glory.
Semi Ajayi headed off target in the 15th minute from a corner by Kelechi Nwakali, before Sadiq Umar threw away the best chance of the first half in the 24th minute, when he came face-to-face with the Guinea Bissau goalkeeper, but poor decision making meant he failed to pull the trigger.
The Eagles continued to create the better chances as Iheanacho’s shot from inside the box was held firmly by the Guinea Bissau goalkeeper.
On the stroke of halftime, Jorginho shot off a defensive clearance by Nigeria defence was wide off the target.
Uzoho saved Fali Cande’s dangerous free kick on the hour as Guinea Bissau chased for an equaliser.
The Eagles goalkeeper will also punch away another dangerous effort on 76 minutes as Guinea Bissau continued to fight.
In the final moments a blistering counter attack between Peter Olayinka and Moses Simon split open the Guinean defence, but somehow the final ball crashed against the sidenetting.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Guinea Bissau (4-4-2)
Francis Uzoho – Jamilu Collins, Tyronne Ebuehi (Olisa Ndah 76), William Ekong (Captain), Semi Ajayi – Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Nwakali (Frank Onyeka 76), Alex Iwobi, Chidera Ejuke (Moses Simon 57) – Kelechi Iheanacho (Henry Onyekuru 85), Sadiq Umar (Peter Olayinka 57)
