The Super Eagles of Nigeria have advanced to the second round of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nigeria booked a place in the next phase of the competition after defeating Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, on Monday.
An own goal from Opa Sanganté was the sole difference as the Eagles finished second in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea, who defeated Ivory Coast in the group’s other game.
The game was Nigeria’s 100th AFCON match, but the performance of the Super Eagles was lacklustre and unsuitable for the historic occasion.
Since the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in the first game, Jose Peseiro-led team had exhibited profligacy, incoherence and lack of imagination.
The Eagles had failed to score more than one goal in their previous six games. It is an uninspiring return for a team with Victor Osimhen, the 2023 African footballer of the year, leading its attack.
The hiccups continued into the game against the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau, and Nigeria managed just one shot on targets out of 11 attempts.
The Eagles struggled to find the goalpost until Opa Sanganté helped them in the 36th minute. The Bissau-Guinean redirected a cross from Moses Simon into his net.
The Super Eagles failed to add to the tally as a couple of calls from the video assistant referee cancelled a goal each for both sides.
In the group’s other game, Equatorial Guinea thrashed Ivory Coast 4-0. The result confirmed Equatorial Guinea as the winner of Group A with seven points and a superior goal difference.
Nigeria will face the runners-up in Group C in the second round of AFCON. Group C has Senegal, Guinea, Cameroon and Gambia.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
