The Super Eagles tonight pipped Guinea Bissau 1-0 in their 100th game at the AFCON to qualify for the tournament’s Round of 16.
However, Nigeria could only finish as runners-up in Group A after Equatorial Guinea thrashed AFCON hosts Cote d’Ivoire 4-0 to win the group.
Both Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea recorded seven points each from three matches but Nzalang Nacional enjoyed a much better goals difference.
Cote d’Ivoire finished on three points, while Guinea Bissau were without any points.
The Super Eagles will Saturday in Abidjan face the runners-up in Group C, who are potentially Guinea or Cameroon.
Nigeria’s next opponents will be known tomorrow when a final round of matches will be played in Group C – Cameroon vs Gambia, Guinea vs Senegal.
Three-time African champions Super Eagles did not play with conviction and coach Jose Peseiro must also be seriously troubled his dreaded strike force led by Victor Osimhen is not firing – only a goal in open play after three matches.
Guinea Bissau yielded to sustained pressure to concede an own goal in the 37th minute.
Moses Simon darted down the left wing to deliver a low cross into the box and big Guinea Bissau defender Opa Sangante very mindful of the presence of Osimhen somehow connected into his own net.
The Super Eagles adopted the same cautious 3-4-3 tactic that served them very well against AFCON hosts Cote d’Ivoire, but were slow off the blocks against a team who had made as many as 10 changes from the team who fell 4-2 to Equatorial Guinea in their previous match.
The Wild Dogs from Guinea Bissau enjoyed a lot of the ball in the first half against a team who surprisingly showed them too much respect.
Osimhen’s effort in the 59th minute was ruled out for an infringement by the Napoli striker.
Guinea Bissau also had their own effort cancelled for offside in the 83rd minute as Nigeria wasted several chances at the other end of the pitch.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Guinea Bissau (3-4-3)
Stanley Nwabali- Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Kenneth Omeruo (Captain) – Osayi Samuel (Zaidu Sanusi 80), Ola Aina (Chidozie Awaziem 90), Frank Onyeka (Raphael Onyedika 63), Joe Aribo (Alex Iwobi 63) – Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze (Ademola Lookman 80)
