2023 AFCON: Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria report

Moses Daddy Simon of Nigeria scores a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations mach between Guinea Bissau and Nigeria held at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on 22 January 2024 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Monday Jan 22, 2024. 21:48

Nigeria qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after they beat Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in their final Group A match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

Date: 22 January 2024

Guinea-Bissau (0) 0

Nigeria (1) 1 (Sangante 36′ OG)

Guinea-Bissau: J. Mendes, H. Mendes, E. Ie, O. Sangante, Nanu (F, Cande 80′), N. Gomes, F. Quizera (Ze Turbo 68′), Dalcio (A. Semedo 88′), C. Gomes (M. Sanca 46′), Z. Gano (F. Dju 46′).

Nigeria: S. Nwabali, O. Aina (C. Awaziem 90+4′), K. Omeruo, S. Ajayi, C. Bassey, B. Osayi-Samuel (Z. Sanusi 80′), F. Onyeka (R. Onyedika 63′), S. Chukwueze (A. Lookman 80′), J. Aribo (A. Iwobi 63′), M. Simon, V. Osimhen.

First 45′: The Djurtus just shaded the possession in a first half that didn’t bring too many clear-cut chances. Victor Osimhen dragged a shot just wide of the far post in the third minute, while Nito Gomes forced Stanley Nwabali into a diving save with a strike from range on seven minutes. After Joe Aribo and Dalcio drew comfortable saves out of the two goalkeepers around the 21-minute mark, the Super Eagles hit the front nine minutes before half-time when Opa Sangante diverted a cross past Jonas Mendes in a bid to prevent Osimhen from pouncing at the back post.

Second 45′: Baciro Cande’s side went in search of the equaliser and Dalcio tested Nwabali with a curling shot from range on 56 minutes, although Osimhen struck for Nigeria three minutes later, only for VAR to rule the goal out after the striker had handled the ball before scoring from close range. Both Franculino Dju and Osimhen had goals chalked off in the final eight minutes for offside following VAR reviews, while Nwabali preserved his team’s lead with a fine save to deny Marciano Sanca from range four minutes from time.

What the result means: Jose Peseiro’s side finished second in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea, who hammered Ivory Coast 4-0 in the concurrent fixture at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium to claim top spot ahead of the Super Eagles on goals scored after both teams collected seven points.

What’s next: Nigeria await the runners-up from Group C at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday, January 27, with Guinea-Bissau heading home after losing all three of the group games.