… Beat Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja
THE Super Eagles of Nigeria were humiliated Friday after losing 0-1 to Guinea Bissau in a Group A 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Despite the Eagles’ early dominance, the Djurtus managed to hold and steadily grew into the game, causing a scare for the defensive partnership of Kevin Akpogoma and Cavin Bassey.
Mama Balde scored in the 29th minute to record Guinea Bissau’s first ever victory against Nigeria.
Expectedly, the Super Eagles dominated the game from the blast of the whistle, but the Djurtus managed to soak in the pressure. With time, the visitors grew in confidence as the game progressed.
Guinea Bissau finally got the breakthrough four minutes away from the half-hour mark as an inviting long ball split the Super Eagles’ defence and fell to a chasing Mama Samba Balde.
He wasted no time in dispatching the ball through Francis Uzoho’s leg as his side raced to a lead.
Barring a side netting, Guinea Bissau almost doubled the margin after a swift counterattack a few minutes later.
Nigeria’s coach Jose Peseiro threw Paul Onuachu and Moses Simon into the game – subbing Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho – as hostilities started for the second half.
Wilfred Ndidi’s weak effort, and Moses’ wide shots – all coming in the latter stages of the encounter – were all products of the team’s waves of attack.
But the Djurtus held on to claim a famous victory over Nigeria, a win that catapulted them to the summit of the group with seven points from three games.
Nigeria will be aiming to make amends in the second leg of the encounter at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday.