Super Eagles end group stage with perfect record

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Jan 19, 2022. 23:00

Nigeria racked up a full haul of three wins in Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations after they defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Wednesday night.

The Super Eagles are the only team in the tournament to claim all nine points on offer in the group stage, with this latest victory arriving thanks to second-half strikes from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong.

The African Wild Dogs, meanwhile, finished bottom of the log and have been eliminated from the AFCON.

2021 AFCON GROUP STANDINGS

With top spot assured before the match even kicked off, Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen opted to make several changes to his starting XI, resting the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi and Joe Aribo. They enjoyed most of the possession early on, but Guinea-Bissau had the first real threat on goal.

The African Wild Dogs saw striker Mama Balde brush past defender Semi Ajayi on 10 minutes and almost latch onto a loose ball in the penalty area, but Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho came off his line and bravely smothered the ball at the attacker’s feet.

The Super Eagles should have claimed the lead on 15 minutes through Ajayi, who rose highest to get on the end of Kelechi Nwakali’s free kick delivery, but the centre-back failed to keep his header down with the goal gaping.

Ten minutes later Nigeria cut open their opponent’s defence and Umar Sadiq almost succeeded in rounding goalkeeper Maurice Gomis, but he was unable to get a shot away under pressure from two recovering defenders.

Guinea-Bissau gradually found some attacking rhythm and created some pressure in the dying minutes of the first half, notably threatening through Jorginho just before the break, with the forward striking a volley through a crowd of players and just wide of Uzuho’s left-hand upright.

Nigeria were the dominant force after the restart and claimed a deserved lead on 56 minutes. Wilfred Ndidi put Kelechi Iheanacho into space and the forward provided a beautiful low cross with the outside of his left foot which curved away from the grasp of Gomis but allowed Sadiq an easy finish at the far post for 1-0.

Guinea-Bissau nearly levelled the game a short while later through Fali Cande, whose shot direct from a free kick took a deflection off the wall and flashed just wide of the target.

Nigeria claimed a second goal on 75 minutes when a sensational solo effort from substitute Moses Simon rebounded off the underside of the crossbar and was turned home at close range by William Troost-Ekong. The defender’s celebrations were initially cut short by the offside flag, but a VAR review overturned the decision and saw the Super Eagles go 2-0 up.

Guinea-Bissau had a couple of half-chances to reduce the deficit in what remained of the game, but ultimately Nigeria were able to hold out for a comfortable victory that maintains their momentum heading into the business end of the tournament.

Guinea-Bissau 0

Nigeria (0) 2 (Sadiq 56’, Troost-Ekong 75’)

Guinea-Bissau: Gomis, Encada, Sangate, Mane, Cande, Nogueira, Cassama (Alves 78’), Piqueti (Ambri 70’), Camara (A. Semedo 69’), Jorginho (Mendy 70’), Balde (Rodrigues 88’)

Nigeria: Uzoho, Ebuehi (Ndah 76’), Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Collins, Nwakali (Onyeka 76’), Ndidi, Ejuke (Simon 58’), Iheanacho (Onyekuru 85’), Iwobi, Sadiq (Olayinka 58’)