AFCON 2023: Wasteful Super Eagles Hold Equatorial Guinea

*Peseiro insists Eagles were unlucky to rescue just a point against Nzalang Nationale

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire on a shaky start, pulling a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea team dominated by mostly players from the third and fourth tiers of leagues in Europe.

Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nationale races into the lead through Iban Edu Salvador in the 36th minute. He cashed on a mixed up between Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka to put his team ahead.

Eagles however restored parity two minutes later through through the efforts of Ademola Lookman. However it was Victor Osimhen that finished the beautiful work for the game to tie 1-1 going into first half break.

On a day that Nigerians living in Abidjan and others that came from far and near trooped out in their thousands to the brand new Stade Olympic Alassane Ouattara to see Africa’s best player of the moment Osimhen and his fellow teammates kick off their campaign in AFCON 2023, they were largely disappointed with Eagles tepid display.

The Napoli frontman was the worst culprit of the day, missing begging chances

that would have killed off the game in favour of Nigeria in the first 20 minutes.

He missed an Alex Iwobi cross from the flank and similarly blasted wide when he had another opportunity in a one-on-one situation with Nzalang Nationale’s goalkeeper, Jesus Owono. Owono is the topmost star in the Equatorial Guinea team, plying his trade with Spanish LaLiga side, Deportivo Alaves,though he’s yet to taste action this season.

Several other wasted opportunities by Ola Aina, Alhassan Yusuf and Moses Simon ensured that Eagles are in disadvantage position going into Thursday’s clash with hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

The Elephants defeated Guinea Bissau 2-0 on Match-day 1 to lead Group A comfortably on three points while both Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have a point each. Guinea Bissau are yet to earn a point.

Expectedly, Equatorial Guinea, who are 46 places below Nigeria in the world rankings, celebrated ecstatically after the game as if they picked all three points.

Owono was adjudged the Man of the Match of the clash for the many saves he made against Super Eagles. His Nigerian opposite, Samuel Nwabili appears to have solved the goalkeeping crisis in the Eagles with his commanding presence and directions to his backline.

Speaking in a post match interview, Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro admitted his wards deserved to win the game rather than the one point rescued from the game.

“We hoped to win this match and we did everything to win. Our team was better than that of Equatorial Guinea but we lacked luck,” he said.

“I am not happy. I deserved to win, this draw doesn’t suit us. Our team created a lot of chances but we didn’t score. We hope that next time, even with fewer opportunities, we will score. We simply have to improve our finishing,” he said.

AFCON RESULTS

Nigeria 1-1 E’Guinea

Egypt 2- 2 Mozambique

Ghana – Cape Verde

Today

Senegal v Gambia

Cameroon v Guinea

Algeria v Angola

GROUP A

P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Côte d’Ivoire 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3

E’ Guinea 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1