AFCON: Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea Play 1-1; Egypt force Mozambique to a 2-2 draw

The National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday at the Alassane Quattara Stadium Abidjan blurred the vision of three times African Champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria ending their Group A encounter of the African Cup of Nations one goal apiece.

Also Sunday, Egypt forced Mozambique in Group B encounter to a 2-2 draw at the Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan after Mohammed Salla scored a penalty to level score with Mozambique.

Poland based Ivan Salvador Edu who got a thorough pass from Pepin kicked a not too impressive shot that went through a cluster of legs of Nigerian defenders in the 36th minute for the first ever goal the Thunders will ever score against Nigeria which will be a galvanizer of confidence to them for subsequent matches.

African Footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen got a telegraphic pass from Ademola Lookman from the left flank and headed it into the net 38th minute for an equalizer that many thought will usher in an avalanche of goals but no for Osimhem missed more than eight glaring opportunities that would have kept the Thunders at bay.

The Ref is a 32 year old South African, Tom Abongile who supervised the hard tackles of the Thunder boys. Nigerian players were falling like pack of cards especially Ola Aina in the defence. In the process of hard tackles, Royal Antwerp of Belgium player, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi perhaps the best Nigerian player on the pitch was hacked down by the ‘if you miss the ball, don’t miss the leg tactics of the Thunder boys of Equatorial Guinea. He was stretchered off and replaced 69th minute by Joe Aribo.

Incidentally, match stats show Nigeria was rougher with 13-11 fouls; there were 2-1 yellow cards for E-Guinea; Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Nwabili was hardly tested as E-Guinea only had one shot on target against Nigeria’s 7 from 18-7 shots for Nigeria. Nigeria’s defence played better than previous outings but Nigeria’s Attackers were not clinical in front of goal. They also need a play maker to supply balls to Osimhem.

Ivory Coast leads Group A with 3 points and 2 goals Nigeria is 2nd with one point and a goal; Equatorial Guinea is 3rd with one point and a goal like Nigeria while Guinea Bissau rocks the bottom with no point and no goal.

Equatorial Guinea faces Guinea Bissau on Thursday 18th January at the Olympic Stadium at 3pm while at 6pm Nigeria’s Super Eagles will test strength against the Elephants of Ivory Coast at the same venue in the second round matches of Group A.