Nigeria have reclaimed top spot in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers after defeating hosts Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.
The result – secured by a first-half penalty from Moses Simon – saw the Super Eagles avenge a shock defeat at the hands of the Djurtus in Abuja last Friday, and took them to nine points atop the standings.
Guinea-Bissau are second on seven points, with Sierra Leone (five) and Sao Tome & Principe (one) in third and fourth respectively.
Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro opted for several changes in his starting XI compared to the teams’ meeting last Friday, with the likes of Moses Simon, Frank Onyeka and Terem Moffi coming into the line-up.
The visitors struggled to make any attacking headway inside the opening quarter, with only half-chances created for Moffi and Victor Osimhen, yet on the 30-minute mark they claimed the lead via a penalty from Moses Simon.
The spot kick was awarded after Guinea-Bissau’s Fali Cande was guilty of a late sliding challenge on the overlapping Bright Osayi-Samuel. Simon coolly dispatched the penalty to make it 1-0.
The Super Eagles managed the game and secured a narrow but deserved triumph which takes them a step closer to qualification for next year’s Afcon finals in the Ivory Coast.
Credit: supersport.com
