AFCON: Osimhen scores as Eagles play out stalemate with Equatorial Guinea

The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to beat Equatorial Guinea in their opening game of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Victor Osimhen’s first-half header helped the team rescue a 1-1 draw at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, Abidjan, on Sunday.

Nigeria’s preparation for the competition was dominated by debates about the team’s goalkeeping department.

Jose Peseiro, Super Eagles head coach, had always favoured Francis Uzoho, but many fans continuously clamoured for an alternative.

The Portuguese finally bowed to pressure and dropped Uzoho to the bench.

Stanley Nwabali started in goal for his competitive debut for the Super Eagles. William Troost-Ekong also made his first competitive start for the team since 2022 alongside Semi Ajayi, with Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina on both flanks of the defence.

Alhassan Yusuf, another debutant, lined up alongside Frank Onyeka in a double pivot behind Alex Iwobi. The attacking trio of Victor Osimhen, Lookman Ademola and Moses Simon completed Nigeria’s lineup.

The Eagles entered the competition in an unimpressive form, with one win in the last five games. But the team showed an appetite to shed the inconsistency in the match’s opening minutes.

Almost immediately after kick-off, Iwobi tested the alertness of Jesús Owono, the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper, with a half-volley, but the strike was halted by the shot-stopper.

Shortly, Osimhen skied the ball from the edge of the box after a mistake from Owono. Another chance fell to Sanusi afterwards, but the Porto defender sent the ball high from the near post off a drilling cross from Yusuf.

However, the Equatoguinean stunned Nigeria and took the lead in the 36th minute. A clearance mix-up between Iwobi and Onyeka presented José Machín with the space to find Iván Salvador, who stroked the ball beyond a stilled Nwabali into the net.

But the Eagles replied instantaneously. Osimhen arrived at the far post at the right time and nodded home a floating cross from Lookman.

Nigeria almost took the lead late in the first half, but Simon’s low shot was punched against the woodwork by Owono.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper resumed his heroics in the second half, stopping Sanusi after an exciting counterattack. He then stopped Osimhen a few minutes later.

The Super Eagles were made to rue their numerous missed chances as the National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea dug in for a vital draw.

Nigeria will face Ivory Coast in the second group game on Thursday.

PLAYER RATINGS

Stephen Nwabili, GK (3/5): He did not panic under pressure but can improve on his distribution. He could do nothing about the goal scored by Equatorial Guinea and looked assured on his debut.

Ola Aina, DF (2.5/5): He created a good opening for Osimhen with an accurate cross and showed attacking verve, especially in the second half, where he could have bagged a goal—a slightly above-average performance, nothing spectacular.

Semi Ajayi, DF (3/5): He played as the attack-minded central defender and tried to initiate attacks in the first half before retreating to complete defensive duties in the second. He was able to deal with the majority of questions asked. Regardless of some clumsiness, it was an above-average outing by the 30-year-old.

William Troost-Ekong, DF (2.5/5): The captain and leader was the libero of the side but did not take charge of his backline. The Greece-based defender looked on without closing down space in front of him as Guinea-Bissau scored and was more reactionary in his defensive duties. He was not inspiring.

Zaidu Sanusi, DF (2.5/5): He was adventurous in attack and did well in defence. Sanusi missed a golden opportunity at the back post with the goal gaping in the first half and saw his feeble shot saved in the second. He could have done better at both ends of the pitch.

Alhassan Yusuf, MD (3.5/5): He was not afraid to get stuck in, created goalscoring opportunities and was more box-to-box in this impressive display. While he could have done better with the final product, he sometimes carried the team forward. He went off injured, and Nigerians would hope it’s not severe.

Frank Onyeka, MC (2.5/5): He played as the more defensive midfielder but left so much space around him. Onyeka is not a natural anchorman and would not read the game like Wilfred Ndidi, but the Brentford man was combative throughout.

Alex Iwobi, AM (2/5): He tested the goalkeeper less than a minute in but faded as the game wore on. Iwobi lost the ball and was turned inside out for Equatorial Guinea’s goal, but a well-threaded through ball to Osimhen could have seen him redeem a poor day in the office.

Ademola Lookman, WF (3/5): The Atalanta winger put in a good display and could have scored in the second half but blazed over. He assisted Osimhen’s goal with a well-lofted cross and created openings everywhere in attack.

Moses Simon, WF (3/5): Little success with the dribbles, but Simon put in a few good crosses that were not capitalized upon. His end product was also lacking, and he was substituted as Nigeria searched for a winner.

Victor Osimhen, ST (2.5/5): He blazed over the bar when Nigeria pounced on a defensive mistake and could not get the ball on target with a free header. He eventually made one count from two yards out but was guilty of missing a host of other clear-cut chances he would have converted on another day. There is room for improvement.

Substitutes

Joseph Aribo (3/5): Swung into action with threaded passes and tried to push the team forward with attack-minded passes. He had a good cameo despite the performance.

Samuel Chukwueze (1/5): Poor decision-making prevented him from being in the headlines at the end.

Calvin Bassey (1/5): Very slow while his team searched for the winning goal. Confusing.

Bright Osayi-Samuel (N/A): Not enough time to impact the match

Paul Onuachu (N/A): Not enough time to impact the match.

Photo Credits: Adepoju Tobi Samuel