Nigeria Super Eagles lose at home to 118th-placed Guinea Bissau
The Super Eagles entered Friday's match against Guinea-Bissau with hopes of victory, but Djurtus had a game plan that was played out to perfection when they emerged 1-0 winners . A 29th-minute first-half goal from Mama Balde lifted the 118th-seeded side to the top of Group A.
Jose Peseiro started a side similar to the one Portugal lost 4-0 last November. Zaidu Sanusi replaced William Troost-Ekong while Joe Aribo, Moses Simon and Terem Moffi started on the bench. Bissau-Guinean goalkeeper Dalcio Gomes made his first save against Osimhen in the 16th minute after a Kelechi Iheanacho pass sent Napoli ahead.
Balde shocked the Abuja Stadium crowd in the 30th minute when he deftly collected the ball from Opa Sangante beyond the halfway line. Nigeria's two centre-backs - Calvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma - were caught dithering. Balde controlled and had time to pass the ball past Francis Uzoho's desperate dive.
Dalcio Gomes should have added a second in the 36th minute when he had the better of Uzoho and Iwobi, but his shot went into the side net.
The second half saw Peseiro dispatch Paul Onuachu and Moses Simon early in the second half to replace the ineffective Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman, who looked lost in the first half. Akpoguma had to leave injured in the 51st minute after Balde's high boot caught him, for which he received a yellow card. Semi Ajayi replaced the Hoffenheim defender.
A big equalizer chance was created for Simon by Chukwueze, but the Nantes man slid his shot past the post as the Eagles put the pressure on. Sanusi's error almost gave Balde a second goal, but his shot was tame and straight at Uzoho.
ALSO READ: Nigeria v Guinea Bissau: Ndidi captains Super Eagles in 48th appearanceThe Eagles were given another scoring chance on the half-hour mark but Ndidi, after being put across by Osimhen, hesitated and his shot on goal was low and easily cleared. In the 73rd minute, Bright Osayi-Samuel delayed his cut although his pass to Chukwueze was largely overshot.
The referee added five minutes of stoppage time, but Guinea-Bissau held on for a famous win to take top spot in Group A with seven points from three matches. The teams meet in Morocco on Monday with the Eagles looking for a quick revenge.
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The Super Eagles entered Friday's match against Guinea-Bissau with hopes of victory, but Djurtus had a game plan that was played out to perfection when they emerged 1-0 winners . A 29th-minute first-half goal from Mama Balde lifted the 118th-seeded side to the top of Group A.
Jose Peseiro started a side similar to the one Portugal lost 4-0 last November. Zaidu Sanusi replaced William Troost-Ekong while Joe Aribo, Moses Simon and Terem Moffi started on the bench. Bissau-Guinean goalkeeper Dalcio Gomes made his first save against Osimhen in the 16th minute after a Kelechi Iheanacho pass sent Napoli ahead.
Balde shocked the Abuja Stadium crowd in the 30th minute when he deftly collected the ball from Opa Sangante beyond the halfway line. Nigeria's two centre-backs - Calvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma - were caught dithering. Balde controlled and had time to pass the ball past Francis Uzoho's desperate dive.
Dalcio Gomes should have added a second in the 36th minute when he had the better of Uzoho and Iwobi, but his shot went into the side net.
The second half saw Peseiro dispatch Paul Onuachu and Moses Simon early in the second half to replace the ineffective Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman, who looked lost in the first half. Akpoguma had to leave injured in the 51st minute after Balde's high boot caught him, for which he received a yellow card. Semi Ajayi replaced the Hoffenheim defender.
A big equalizer chance was created for Simon by Chukwueze, but the Nantes man slid his shot past the post as the Eagles put the pressure on. Sanusi's error almost gave Balde a second goal, but his shot was tame and straight at Uzoho.
ALSO READ: Nigeria v Guinea Bissau: Ndidi captains Super Eagles in 48th appearanceThe Eagles were given another scoring chance on the half-hour mark but Ndidi, after being put across by Osimhen, hesitated and his shot on goal was low and easily cleared. In the 73rd minute, Bright Osayi-Samuel delayed his cut although his pass to Chukwueze was largely overshot.
The referee added five minutes of stoppage time, but Guinea-Bissau held on for a famous win to take top spot in Group A with seven points from three matches. The teams meet in Morocco on Monday with the Eagles looking for a quick revenge.
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Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government.
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By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.
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[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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