Super Eagles held by Equatorial Guinea

By Soibi Versatile

Super Eagles of Nigeria today began their quest for a fourth African Nations Cup title with a mouth watering encounter with Equatorial Guinea. The Super Eagles who were seeded in the same group as Equatorial Guinea, Guinea- Bissau and hosts Ivory Coast started their bid for another AFCON glory. The three times AFCON winners fielded a very strong side with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen spear heading the attack in a 4-3-3 formation employed by coach Jose Peseiro.

The surprise figure in the line up was Stanley Nwabali who was kept in goal after many Nigerians had voiced their dismay at Francis Uzoho being the number one after a series of abysmal displays.

The super Eagles began the game in flying fashion as Victor Osimhen nearly broke the deadlock after picking up a wonderful through ball but the Napoli forward couldn’t convert. Still pressing for another goal Osimhen was found out with a wonderful cross but his header did not quite match the wonderful cross.

Despite the glaring dominance by the Nigerian side it was Equatorial Guinea that made hay while the sun shone by opening the scoring in the 36th minute of the game through Iban Salvador. The winger fired home after receiving a well timed cross through the middle.
Their lead was very short lived as Victor Osimhen headed in a cross just few minutes later to make it 1-1. The first half ended with both sides having one goal a piece.

The second half convened with Nigeria now looking to score a winner. Osimhen again was put on a through ball with the goal keeper but goalkeeper Jesus Owono spread himself large to deny Osimhen another goal.

The 60th minute saw the Super Eagles make some changes with Joe Aribo and Samuel Chukweze being introduced into the game but the same narrative in the game continued with Osimhen again missing a one on one chance after receiving a wonderful through ball.

In the end the game ends in a draw with both teams picking a point. The Super Eagles will now look for to their next game against the hosts Ivory Coast in what will be a decider of their fate in the group phase.

Soibi Versatile is Daily Memoirs Chief Writer

Equatorial Guinea was held to a 1-1 by the super eagles of Nigeria