The senior national team of Nigeria picked up their first win in four games by beating Guinea Bissau 1-0 in the reverse tie of the 0-1 loss they suffered in Abuja in the race to be at the next Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire.
Nigeria started on the strong foot with the quartet of Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon making darting runs that kept the opposition defence busy. Chukwueze in particular should have done better with his decision making in the box.
The lively Bright Osayi-Samuel ensured that Nigeria got a penalty when he left his marker for dead leaving him with no choice but to foul him in the box. Moses Simon stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot in the 30th minute for the opener.
Few minutes before the break, a quick counter by Nigeria ended with Chukwueze through from a pass from Zaidu Sanusi but he decided to shoot instead of laying the ball on a plate for Osimhen, who was free in the box.
Half time went with Nigeria feeling a bit frustrated that they didn’t make the best of their chances and dominance to score more before the half time break.
It was more of the same story in the second half with Nigeria guilty of wasting several promising moves particularly the duo of Osimhen and Aribo. They twice had one on one chances but while Aribo forced a good save off the goalkeeper, Osimhen saw one of his efforts come off the bar.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho almost gifted the host a goal but was lucky that his attempt to play from the back wasn’t punished by the Guinea Bissau forward line. Super Eagles hung on for all three points, which sent them back to the top of the group with nine points. One more than Guinea Bissau who dropped to second.
Damian Waziri