The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured their place in the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023 with a narrow 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau.
The closely contested match saw key moments and post-match reactions from both sides.
Early in the game, Victor Osimhen had a notable opportunity, firing a shot with his right foot that narrowly missed the goal post.
Despite the missed chances, Nigeria continued to pose a threat up front, creating several promising opportunities that went unconverted.
The breakthrough for the Super Eagles came through a counterattack initiated by Ola Aina, whose precise pass found Moses Simon. Simon's cross, however, resulted in an own goal by Opa Sanganté of Guinea Bissau, putting Nigeria in the lead.
Nigeria maintained their offensive pressure in the second half, seeking additional goals. Samuel Chukwueze missed two one-on-one opportunities against Guinea Bissau's goalkeeper Jonas Mendes. In the 59th minute, Osimhen's effort found the net, but it was flagged offside.
The match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Nigeria, securing them 7 points and a place in the round of 16. They will face the team that finishes second in Group C on Saturday, January 27.
Post-match reactions included comments from both coaches:
Baciro Condé, Guinea Bissau coach, expressed disappointment with three consecutive defeats, stating, “We did not show the true colours of Guinea Bissau, we are eliminated, that's the game. Now we will get back to work and come back stronger.”
José Peseiro, Nigeria coach, looked ahead to the knockout stage, emphasizing the importance of being clinical in front of goal, noting, “The slightest mistake will be fatal for us.”
The victory marked the 17th time in their history that the Super Eagles have advanced to the round of 16 in the AFCON.
