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Follow the action as the Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their opening game of AFCON 2023.
- FULLTIME in Abidjan. Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea. A disappointing result for Nigeria who dominated the game and created chances but failed to take them. Equatorial Guinea on the other hand will be absolutely delighted to have started the tournament with a point on the board.
- The Super Eagles have themselves to blame if they fail to win this game. SIX big chances missed so far. SIX!!!
- 81' Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel replace Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina respectively as Nigeria continue to look for the winning goal.
- 72' Big chance missed! Victor Osimhen failed to convert and the game remains tied.
- 69' Substitution for the Super Eagles! Alhassan Yusuf has now been withdrawn and replaced by Joe Aribo while Samuel Chukwueze comes on for Moses Simon in a straight swap on the right wing.
- Yusuf is back on the pitch now which is good news for Nigeria as they continue to look for a way back into this one.
- 64' Injury to Alhassan Yusuf who has arguably been Nigeria's best player so far, he's had to be stretchered off and is currently receiving treatment on the sidelines.
- 60' An hour gone here, still no breakthrough on either side but it looks more likely to come from Nigeria as the Super Eagles continue to dominate.
- 55' Another big chance spurned by Nigeria again, Zaidu Sanusi is played through on goal but his tame effort is saved and Ademola Lookman blasts the rebound well over the bar. Still 1-1 but Nigeria have the upper hand.
- 46' Chance right away for the Super Eagles, Victor Osimhen appeared offside but the linesman kept his flag down and allowed the striker through on goal but the opportunity is gone after a poor link up with Ademola Lookman.
- 45' Action resumes here at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, the Super Eagles come out looking determined, can they find a way past this dogged Equatorial Guinea side?
- HALFTIME in Abidjan Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea in what has been an exciting encounter so far.
- 45' Big save by Owono to deny Moses Simon at the near post and stop Nigeria from taking the lead after a great team move. It remains 1-1 on the cusp of halftime.
- The reigning African Footballer of the Year finally nets his first AFCON goal in just his second appearance in the competition ever.
- Victor Osimhen with an instant response for Nigeria, converting a header from close range to finish off a beautiful cross from Ademola Lookman. Game on!!!
- 38' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL SUPER EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Iban Salvador with a lovely first-time finish from the edge of the box to stun the Super Eagles very much against the run of play.
- 37' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!! EQUATORIAL GUINEA TAKE THE LEAD
- 28' Another chance for the Super Eagles but Osimhen's header is way wide of goal. The Napoli striker has been lively so far, perhaps a goal is in the offing for him.
- 27' COOLING BREAK Both teams take a breather as we continue to wait for the first goal here in Abidjan.
- 16' Still no goals here but Nigeria continue to dominate proceedings, Equatorial Guinea have really not been at the races so far. A quiet competitive debut for Nwabali.
- 11' Another chance goes begging for Nigeria who have started dominantly today, Zaidu Sanusi was found at the back post with a lovely cross but his finish was wayward and it stays goalless.
- 5' Big chance missed by Victor Osimhen of all people, he received on the edge of the box from Alex Iwobi but blasted well over the bar from a promising position.
- KICKOFF!!! The action is underway at a sparsely populated Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara where Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea go head to head.
- The lineups are out and the big story for Nigeria is in the goalkeeping position where Stanley Nwabali starts ahead of Francis Uzoho in what is a huge surprise.
- That's most likely because there are three games to look forward to today and the first on the docket is the Super Eagles of Nigeria who take on Equatorial Guinea.
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FOOTBALL
21:13 - 13.01.2024
Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea-Bissau: As it happened
Follow the action as Ivory Coast begin their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quest on home soil against Guinea-Bissau.
- The Africa Cup of Nations officially kicked off yesterday with the host nation Ivory Coast beating Guinea Bissau 2-0 but it feels like the competition really starts today.
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