By Safiu Kehinde
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have recorded 100 percent group victory after a 2-0 defeat of Guinea Bissau at the final Group D match of the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament.
Having progressed to the Round of 16 before the final match, Nigeria took on Guinea Bissau with sheer display of confidence despite earlier threat by the Djurtus to upset the Super Eagles.
Eventually, the Nigerian team silenced Guinea Bissau with two unreplied goals which failed to come until the second-half.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles created chances at the first-half which would have led to goals. Semi Ajayi came close to giving Eagles the lead, but his 15th minute header went off the bar.
Umar Sadiq also found a chance after Iwobi’s through pass saw the striker in a one-on-one situation. He was, however, quickly dispossessed by Guinea Bissau defenders before he could pull the trigger.
Few minutes into the second-half, Kelechi Iheanacho slid past a Guinea Bissau defender from the edge of the box 18. He launched a brilliant through ball across to Umar Sadiq who calmly slotted it into the net to put Nigeria into the led at 56th minute. A minute after, Augustine Eguavoen introduced Peter Olayinka and Moses Simon who replaced replaced goal scorer Umar Sadiq and Childers Ejuke respectively.
Eguavoen’s tactical substitutions were quick to manifest as Moses Simon, with his nightmarish skills and pace, became a threat to Guinea Bissau’s defenders. Simon’s exploitation nearly earned him a goal after slicing through the Djurtus defence. His effort, however, hit the woodwork. But a quick reaction from William Troost-Ekong saw Simon’s effort leading to a goal as the Super Eagles’ captain chipped the ball in at a close range.
Super Eagles’ triumph against Guinea Bissau saw them record 100% dominance in the group stage of the AFCON tournament for the first time in many years.
