by Silas Boahene | Jan 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
In the AFCON Group A clash between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, Victor Osimhen’s headed goal, courtesy of Ademola Lookman’s cross, equalized Iban Salvador’s well-placed opener. Despite the draw, Super Eagles coach Jose Vitor Peseiro expressed hope for a turnaround against Ivory Coast, leaving the fate of the game in God’s hands, as reported by Sportblog247.com.
Peseiro deviated from his usual 4-4-2 formation, opting for Chippa United’s Christian Nwabili in goal. However, the team’s lack of clinical finishing proved to be a stumbling block.
In the post-match conference, the Portuguese tactician emphasized that his team did enough to secure all three points, despite challenging weather conditions in Ivory Coast.
“We did everything to win, created many clear opportunities, and deserved to win. Playing at 2 pm isn’t easy, so the temperature and humidity were not favorable, but our players managed it very well. It wasn’t easy playing in these conditions,” stated the 63-year-old coach.
Remaining optimistic about the next game, Peseiro expressed his faith, saying, “I am sad, the players are also sad, but God gives and God takes. In the next game, God could give us.”
Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo, Samuel Chukwueze, and Paul Onuachu entered the game as substitutes for the Super Eagles, attempting to change the outcome, but Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper, Jesus Owono, proved decisive for the opposition.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The Super Eagles of Nigeria had a shaky start to their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, settling for a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium on Sunday. The result served as a setback for the three-time champions, who entered the tournament as one of the favorites.
Despite dominating possession and creating chances, Nigeria struggled to capitalize on their opportunities.
Equatorial Guinea’s Ivan Salvador opened the scoring in the 36th minute, but Napoli striker Victor Osimhen quickly equalized for the Eagles in the 38th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
Osimhen, despite being a prominent figure in the match, wasted numerous scoring chances in both halves that could have turned the game in Nigeria’s favor. The new Super Eagles invitee, Alhassan Abdullahi, was substituted due to injury in the 72nd minute.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will face the host country, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, in their second Group A match on Thursday, while Guinea-Bissau will take on Equatorial Guinea on the same day. Equatorial Guinea’s Captain, Jesus Lazaro, received the Man of the Match award for his standout performance.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The Super Eagles of Nigeria faced disappointment in their AFCON 2023 opener, settling for a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, witnessed by 8,500 fans. Emilio Nsue, the captain of Equatorial Guinea, shared his thoughts on the performance and outcome in an interview with Sportblog247.com.
Jose Machine’s precise pass in the 36th minute set up Iban Salvador for the opening goal, but Napoli forward Victor Osimhen quickly equalized for Nigeria.
Nsue expressed contentment with the point earned but conveyed dissatisfaction with the overall performance. Despite Nigeria’s dominance in goal attempts and shots on target, Nsue highlighted the need to improve and acknowledged the significance of the upcoming match.
“We played a very good game in the first half. We are happy for the point, but we are not happy with the performance. The next game is the most important one for us; we have to look at it and improve,” he stated.
When questioned about the potential of a 2-1 scoreline being a better result, Nsue acknowledged missed chances in the first half and emphasized their happiness with the point but not the overall performance.
Regarding Equatorial Guinea’s aspirations in the tournament, especially against a formidable team like Nigeria, Nsue laughed off the idea of contending for the AFCON trophy.
“I don’t think so. It’s just the first game; we have time to improve. Our target is to go game by game, not to win the AFCON,” he stated.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Deportivo AlavĂ©s goalkeeper JesĂşs Owono, hailed as one of Africa’s top young goalkeepers, showcased his talent with a stellar performance during Equatorial Guinea’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opener.
The Nzalang Nacional took the lead in the 36th minute with a well-placed shot from Ivan Salvador, but Nigeria responded swiftly as Victor Osimhen headed in an excellent delivery from Ademola Lookman. However, Owono’s exceptional shot-stopping skills prevented Nigeria from securing a winning goal, earning him the official Man of the Match accolade.
Owono’s remarkable saves included a crucial touch to deny Moses Simon’s goal-bound shot in first-half stoppage time, confidently gathering a tame effort from Alhassan Yusuf in the 52nd minute, and blocking Zaidu’s attempts with his feet in the 54th minute. He continued his excellence with two crucial stops against Osimhen and Ola Aina.
On punditry duties, Daniel Akpeyi praised Owono’s abilities, noting his proficiency with both hands and feet. Akpeyi emphasized the goalkeeper’s modern approach, applauding his distribution skills throughout the game.
“After the opening round of matches in Group A of the 2023 AFCON, Nigeria now trail table-toppers Ivory Coast by two points. They are set to face Ivory Coast on Thursday, January 18.”
by Silas Boahene | Jan 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In a thrilling encounter at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Garry Rodrigues of Cape Verde celebrated a dramatic stoppage-time winner, securing a 2-1 victory over four-time champions Ghana in the Group B match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
This marked the third match of the day in Abidjan, following Nigeria’s draw with Equatorial Guinea in Group A and Egypt’s last-gasp penalty to draw with Mozambique in the opening Group B match at the same stadium.
Cape Verde took the lead in the 17th minute when Garry Rodrigues’s shot, parried by Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori, fell to Jamiro Monteiro, who tucked it away from close range. Ghana seemed to have equalized before halftime, but VAR disallowed Majeed Ashimeru’s goal due to offside interference by Ransford Konigsdorffer.
Ghana leveled the score 11 minutes into the second half, with Alexander Djiku heading home from Jordan Ayew’s corner. Despite missed opportunities for the Black Stars, Cape Verde continued to create chances, and the breakthrough came in stoppage time when Garry Rodrigues capitalized on a defensive error.
Ghana veteran Dede Ayew made a late appearance, marking his eighth Cup of Nations tournament, equaling the record held by Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Egyptian Ahmed Hassan. The earlier Group B game witnessed Mohamed Salah converting a stoppage-time penalty, saving Egypt from embarrassment in a 2-2 draw with Mozambique, playing in their first finals since 2010.
Looking ahead, Ghana will face Egypt on Thursday, while Cape Verde takes on Mozambique on Friday, both at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
