Janaury 21, 2022
Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in Garoua to become the only side at the Africa Cup of Nations to win all three group games.
After making eight changes to the side that beat Sudan to seal their last-16 place, Nigeria took time to warm up.
Umar Sadiq opened the scoring shortly after the break following a cross from striker partner Kelechi Iheanacho.
Captain William Troost-Ekong sealed the win after tapping into an empty net after fine work by Moses Simon.
Three-time champions Nigeria had already topped Group D and knew their round of 16 clashes on Sunday would be in Garoua, where they have played all their games so far. They will have to wait until Thursday night to find out which of the best third-placed sides they face from either group B, E, or F.
Guinea – Bissau, meanwhile have now gone over seven nations Cup games without a goal, the last scoring in their second match of 2017 finals when they made their tournament bow.
Super Eagles soar in Garoua Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen who has made light of replacing Germany’s Rohr a month before the tournament had the luxury of being able to rest players after his sides tone start to the tournament, Troost – Ekong and Wilfred Nidid.
Defender Semi Ajayi was among those coming into the side and he almost opened the scoring when heading a free-kick over from close range, with Eguavoen holding his head in his hands at the wasted chance.
After Guinea-Bissau’s Maurice Gomis almost spilled an off-target Iheanacho shot into his net, the super Eagles finally took the lead when the Leicester City forward laid it on a plate for Almeria forward Sadiq to tap in at the far post. Guinea- Bissau rallied shortly after when an on-target free-kick from fali Cande was deflected behind by Troost-Ekong arm, with VAR overlooking.
The Super Eagles meanwhile showed their strength in depth and that they will take some stopping but there will be a far sterner test ahead for a side buoyed by good support in Cameroon.
Egypt edged past Sudan to finish second in Group D and qualify for the last of the Africa Cup of Nations. Mohamed Abdelmonen scored the games’ only goal, heading home Abdallah El Said’s corner for the Pharaohs in the 35th minute.
Sudan offered little with Egypt going close to a second through a Mohamed Salah effort well saved by Keeper Ali Abu Eshrein in second half.
Egypt will face the winners of group E on Wednesday 26th January 2022. They finished three points behind Group D winners Nigeria who beat Guinea-Bissau (2-0).
Sudan, champions in 1970 and playing in their first major tournament since 2012, finished third in the table, collecting one point and scoring just one goal.