At Super Eagle went into Saturday’s match against Guinea Bissau hoping for a win, but Djurtus had a game plan that was perfectly deployed in a 1-0 win. A first-half goal from Mama Balde, in the 29th minute, sent the 118th-ranked team to the top of Group A.
Jose Peseiro started the same team that was beaten 4-0 by Portugal last November. Zaidu Sanusi replaces William Troost-Ekong while Joe Aribo, Moses Simon, and Terem Moffi start on the bench. Guinea Bissau goalkeeper Dalcio Gomes saved Osimhen in the 16th minute after a pass from Kelechi Iheanacho sent Napoli ahead.
Balde shocked the Abuja Stadium crowd in the 30th minute when he quickly collected the ball from Opa Sangante from outside the halfway line. Nigeria’s two central defenders – Calvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma – were caught dithering. Balde controlled and had time to pass the ball beyond Francis Uzoho’s desperate dive.
Dalcio Gomes should have added a second in the 36th minute when he got the better of Uzoho and Iwobi, but his shot went wide.
The second half saw Peseiro send on Paul Onuachu and Moses Simon at the start of the second half to replace the ineffective Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman, who appeared to have lost in the first half. Akpoguma had to be injured in the 51st minute after Balde’s high tackle caught him, and he was given a yellow card. Semi Ajayi comes in for the Hoffenheim defender.
A good chance for an equalizer was created for Simon by Chukwueze, but the Nantes man launched the shot as the Eagles piled on the pressure. Sanusi’s mistake almost gave Balde a second goal but his shot was tame and went straight to Uzoho.
Also read: Nigeria v Guinea Bissau: Ndidi captains the Super Eagles in his 48th appearance
The Eagles had another scoring opportunity on the half-hour mark, but Ndidi, after he was beaten by Osimhen, dithered and the shot was low and easily cleared. In the 73rd minute, Bright Osayi-Samuel pulled one back late, although his pass to Chukwueze ballooned.
The referee added five minutes of stoppage time, but Guinea Bissau held on to win to take top spot in Group A with seven points from three games. The teams meet again in Morocco on Monday with the Eagles seeking quick revenge.
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