2024-01-14 16:43:09
Published on: 01/14/2024 – 5:43 p.m. Modified on: 01/14/2024 – 5:41 p.m.
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In a stadium with sparse stands, Nigeria, three-time winner of the event (1980, 1994, 2013), did not take advantage of the favorable balance of power and found itself two points behind Ivory Coast, victorious the day before of Guinea Bissau (2-0) at the opening of this 34th edition.
The giant of Africa proved too messy to win once morest the compact block of the Equatoguinean defense, despite a slew of opportunities. He even conceded the first goal through Iban (36th) before quickly equalizing through his star Victor Osimhen (38th).
A few minutes before, the Naples scorer had had an opportunity on a cross from Ola Aina but had adjusted his head poorly (28th), following the cool break established to relieve the bodies tested by the sultry Abidjan.
By dominating without achieving results, the Nigerians were punished by an opponent who had been unambitious until then. It was once morest the run of play that Ivan Salvador scored with a clear shot from the area to open the scoring (36th).
But Nigeria did not have to think too much because on the next engagement, Osimhen, at the conclusion of a perfect cross from Lookman, restored parity between the two teams with a header (38th).
Shortly before half-time, Moses Simon was very close to giving Nigeria the advantage, but his shot was pushed back onto the post by Equatorial Guinean goalkeeper Jesus Owono (45th + 3).
Nigeria, with a little more percussion and verticality, laid siege to the opposing goal but its attackers either lacked lucidity or came up once morest the very inspired Jesus Owono, notably in front of Lookman, Osimhen and Aina (56th, 57th, 66th) .
Iban Edu, scorer for Equatorial Guinea once morest Nigeria in Abidjan on January 14, 2024 © Issouf SANOGO / AFP
Symbol of the Nigerian lack of efficiency, this improbable miss from Osimhen who, starting on the edge of offside, alone facing the opposing goalkeeper, shot wide (76th).
After this mixed entry, the Super Eagles will face the host country on Thursday in the shock of this Group A with survival already at stake for the men of the highly contested coach José Peseiro.
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