Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea: Osimhen's side are held despite the striker nets

Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations Group A opening encounter in Abidjan.

Match Events

25' Match Event for Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea   

   

   

35' GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 Equatorial Guinea (Romane Salvador)   

   

   

   

   

37' GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea (Victor Osimhen)   

   

   

   

Match Report

Three-time AFCON champions Nigeria threatened early, but it was Equatorial Guinea who took a surprise lead through Iban Salvador in the 36th minute

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen issued a near-instant reply when he headed home Ademola Lookman’s cross less than two minutes later to ensure the sides were square at the break.

Osimhen squandered the best opportunity of the second half, when heavy favourites Nigeria were forced to settle while their underdog opposition walked away with a valuable point.

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi tested Equatorial Guinea keeper Jesus Owono within the first 20 seconds, the start of a sustained spell of attack for Jose Peseiro’s side.

The Super Eagles nearly found their opener after 10 minutes when Alhassan Yusuf delivered a fine cross to Zaidu Sanusi at the back post, but the Porto left-back directed his effort over the crossbar.

Nigeria looked likelier to break the deadlock, but it was Juan Micha’s men who found themselves ahead just after the half-hour mark.

After some patient build-up, Monza’s Jose Machin squared to Salvador, who sent Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali went the wrong way with a low finish to the bottom left.

Equatorial Guinea’s Ivan Salvador struck in the 36th-minute opener

However, celebrations were cut short when, just over a minute later, African Footballer of the Year Osimhen connected with Lookman’s cross and headed home.

Sanusi wasted a chance after the break and Owono came out to deny Osimhen soon after as Nigeria continued to apply pressure, and there was bad news for the Super Eagles when Yusuf was carried off on a stretcher after 69 minutes.

Ola Aina had forced Owono into another save seconds before, and Osimhen, again wearing a protective face mask, missed a huge chance when he found himself through on goal but fired wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

Nwabali was called into a rare test in second-half stoppage time, when his side staging a frenzied late surge but came up short of a winner.

Line-ups

Nigeria XI: W. Troost-Ekong, Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Aina, Moses Simon, Osimhen, Lookman, Zaidu, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Stanley Nwabili

Subs: Omeruo, A. Musa, Paul Onuachu, Iheanacho, F. Uzoho, Joe Aribo, Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Samuel Chukwueze, Calvin Bassey, Raphael Onyedika, Bruno Onyemaechi

Equatorial Guinea XI: Emilio Nsue, Carlos Akapo, Iban Salvador, Pablo Ganet, José Machín, Federico Bikoro, Jannick Buyla, Esteban Orozco, Basilio Ndong, Saúl Coco, Jesús Owono

Subs: Manuel Sapunga, Aitor Embela, Marvin Anieboh, Santiago Eneme, Álex Balboa, Luís Asué, Néstor Senra, José Elo, Charles Ondo, Noé Ela, Siafa