Osimhen salvages draw for Nigeria against Eq. Guinea at AFCON

Victor Osimhen was on target as the Super Eagles of Nigeria began their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in Abidjan on Sunday afternoon.

After early exchanges by both sides, it was Guinea who drew the first blood before Nigeria netted an equaliser shortly after.

Equatorial Guinea opened the scoring midway into the first half through Ivan Salvador but Osimhen headed in an equaliser in the 38th minute.

Both teams are now second and third in Group A on one point, two behind leaders and hosts Cote d’Ivoire, while Guinea-Bissau, who were beaten by Cote d’Ivoire in the opener, are bottom.

Read Also: Nigeria’s Super Eagles begin AFCON campaign in Eq.Guinea duel today

As it stands, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are winless in their last 5 games, drawing 2-2 against Saudi Arabia, 1-1 vs Lesotho, 1-1 vs Zimbabwe, losing 0-2 vs Guinea, and now drawing 1-1 vs Equatorial Guinea. 

This is the first time the Eagles have failed to beat Equatorial Guinea.

The Jose Peseiro side will face hosts Cote d’Ivoire in their next game at the ongoing tournament, and would be hoping to bounce back and return to winning ways.

The Eagles suffered another injury setback during the game as Alhassan Yusuf, who is in the team as a replacement for injured Wilfred Ndidi, was taken out injured in the second half.

The duo of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Alhassan Yusuf made their competitive debut for the Eagles.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now