)
The Super Eagles found creative new ways to disappoint Nigerians by losing 1-0 at home to Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria suffered their first defeat of the AFCON 2023 qualifying campaign after Guinea-Bissau picked up a stunning 1-0 win at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
A lone goal by Mama Samba Balde in the first half proved to be the decisive moment of the game despite Nigeria's best efforts to salvage at least a point.
)
18:56 - 24.03.2023
WHAT'S BUZZIN 'Only INEC can save us now' - Reactions as Super Eagles fall to defeat at home against Guinea-Bissau AFCON 2023 qualifier
Super Eagles of Nigeria were shocked at home by Guinea-Bissau in their first-leg match of the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.
How it happened
Super Eagles trailed in the first half
The Super Eagles started the game with expected effervescence as they aimed to please the home fans at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
The in-form Victor Osimhen was presented with two chances he normally would have converted, heading wide from close range after five minutes and then failing to beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
)
Nigeria continued to push and looked more likely to score until the shocker came in the 29th minute when Guinea-Bissau took the lead against the run of play.
Opa Sangante found the run of Mama Samba Balde with a delightful pass over the Nigerian defence which the striker controlled beautifully and slotted through the legs of the onrushing Francis Uzoho.
Nigeria continued to create dangerous scenarios but lacked the required cutting edge in the final third which was strange for a nation with high-flying forwards in European football.
The first half ended and Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro responded with two halftime substitutions in a bid to change the outcome,
A second half of frustration
Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu started the second half off the bench having replaced Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho respectively but try as they may, they could not find the equaliser.
Kevin Akpoguma suffered what looked like a serious head injury which led to a delay and eventual substitution in the 55th minute to be replaced by Semi Ajayi.
Simon spurned a good chance shortly after, dragging wide of the post a shot after being cleverly set up by the lively Samuel Chukwueze.
)
Ndidi also strutted forward in the 59th minute and missed a great opportunity in what was the recurring theme of the evening for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles created chance after chance and ended the game with 17 goal attempts, 10 more than Guinea-Bissau but only three were on target which is precisely why they lost.
As a result, the Super Eagles have now fallen to second in the group with six points, now a point behind Guinea-Bissau who they will now face three days later away from home.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)