The Super Eagles today fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with a gutsy Equatorial Guinea in a 2023 AFCON Group A clash at the Alassane Quatarra Stadium in Abidjan.
Victor Osimhen with header! Score 1-1 . Ademola Lookman great assistpic.twitter.com/bR1oSxHWAn
— FootColic ⚽️ (@FootColic) January 14, 2024
Nigeria must be disappointed with this draw, added to poor marksmanship and the exit through injury of impressive AFCON debutant Alhassan Yusuf.
It was the first draw recorded by Equatorial Guinea after they had lost their first two head-to-head meetings against the star-studded Nigerians.
Ivan Edu stunned the Super Eagles in the 37th minute, when he placed his shot from inside the box to leave goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stranded.
However, Nigeria’s response was swift as they restored parity almost immediately when Victor Osimhen headed home a well-measured cross from the left flank by Ademola Lookman.
Nigeria took the game to Nzalang Nacional from the onset with Zaidu Sanusi failing to put away a chance created by Alhassan Yusuf after 10 minutes.
In the 29th minute, Osimhen also put his header off an Ola Aina cross wide off the target.
In first half stoppage time with scores at 1-1, Moses Simon tested the reflexes of Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who tipped the low shot for a corner.
Nigeria came out guns blazing after the restart.
Zaidu ought to have put Nigeria ahead when he was released by Iwobi from the midfield, but the FC Porto defender did not have the confidence to finish off this move as the goalkeeper kept out his effort with a foot.
Moments later, Man of the Match Owono kept out Osimhen from point blank range when he made himself big as the Napoli striker headed for goal.
Ola Aina was then denied in the 66th minute by the impressive Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper.
In the 76th minute, Osimhen missed the biggest chance to make it 2-1 for Nigeria as he beat the offside trap, but his shot missed the target after he was left one-on-one with only the goalkeeper.
Nigeria continued to chase for the winning goal, but it was not to be.
Super Eagles Starting XI (4-2-3-1) vs Equatorial Guinea
Stanley Nwabali – Zaidu Sanusi (Calvin Bassey 83), Ola Aina (Osayi-Samuel 83), Semi Ajayi, William Ekong (Captain) – Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf (Joe Aribo 68) – Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi (Paul Onuachu 90), Moses Simon (Samuel Chukwueze 68) – Victor Osimhen
