Nigeria Scraps Through Deservedly....

Abidjan -- Nigeria pipped Guinea Bissau 1-0 in Abidjan at the Houmphouet Boigny Stadium to progress to the second round of the AFCON before an estimated 20,000 spectators. With Ivory Coast going down 0-4 simultaneously to Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria was forced to finish second in the group because of a poorer goal difference compared to the Equatoguineans.

Nigeria was clearly the better team using their new structure of 5-3-2 in defense and 3-5-2 in attack. In truth, the losers, who finished without a point in the group, were thoroughly outclassed. The difference in margin could be down to pitiful officiating by referee Ms. Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) intent on balancing the game with poor officiating. Although, to be clear the referee with assistance of VAR officials ended up making the correct calls after Nigeria had put the ball in the net two other times and fortuitously did not call for a VAR check after the losers had a goal ruled off. Replays indicated the goal by Guinea Bissau should have stood.  

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Nigeria was clearly the better team using their new structure of 5-3-2 in defense and 3-5-2 in attack. In truth, the losers, who finished without a point in the group, were thoroughly outclassed. The difference in margin could be down to pitiful officiating by referee Ms. Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) intent on balancing the game with poor officiating. 

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Nigeria's intent in this game was quite clear with three shots taken at goal within the opening two minutes. Two were blocked and one by Osimhen sailed wide harmlessly. However, in spite of that rigorous pursuit of a quick goal to demoralize the Guinea Bissau team, the latter stood strong.  In fact, they began to find gaps between the Nigerian midfield and the defense without Iwobi who usually would station in the hole. Onyeka playing that role was  working tirelessly but his positioning was not perfect on several breaks by the losers.

After 36 minutes, Nigeria broke through with the only goal of the game. Simon broke down the left and his cross sped across the goal with onrushing Osimhen looking to deflect it home after the goalkeeper had been left at sea. In desperation, a defender knocked the ball high into his own net to gift Nigeria a goal that would decide the game's outcome. Although, as many as four minutes were shown on the clock for injury time by the reserve official, the referee Karboubi called for interval at the dot of the official 45 minutes on the game clock.

The second half began with a Nigerian blitz.  First Simon decided to round up the goalie but was unsuccessful but Osimhen was wide open to his right begging for a pass with an open goal awaiting. Minutes later,  the goalie bungled a cross and a lurking Osimhen put the rebound into an empty net. The referee ruled it off as a VAR spotted that Osimhen handled the rebound before scoring.

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After 36 minutes, Nigeria broke through with the only goal of the game. Simon broke down the left and his cross sped across the goal with onrushing Osimhen looking to deflect it home after the goalkeeper had been left at sea. In desperation, a defender knocked the ball high into his own net to gift Nigeria a goal that would decide the game's outcome.

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Nigeria kept up the pressure with Aina blazing an opportunity high and wide in the 68th minute. and then Osimhen seeing his unchallenged header go wide ten minutes after. This was all before Guinea Bissau had a goal called off for offside with nine minutes left. Yet, drama remained. This occurred three minutes after when Zaidu's goal off Osimhern's cross was called off.

Nigeria was forced to finish second behind Equatorial Guinea who, simultaneously, was pulling off an incredible result with a 4-0 walloping of host Ivory Coast in Abidjan. It was a historic win and a shocking loss at home by the host team. The Ivoreins, with a n array of top European talents were one of the tournament's favorites and expected to crush the Equatoguineans. Instead, the opposite happened.

Stanley Nwabali (23) - 6-6 -- Again, Stanley had a very good performance and making a save whenever he was called on.  The best moment was rushing out quickly in the 54th minute to nick a ball from top of the box as an opponent set to pounce on a defensive error.

Bright Osayi-Samuel (12) -- 6.1 - Osayi-Samuel provided a credible game day performance before he was replaced,

Semi Ajayi (6) -- 6.7 -- Perhaps Nigeria's best defender on the day. In the 40th minute he highlighted this by saving a dangerous situation after Osayi-Samuel lost the ball in a dangerous position. He ended up with a quick first half booking.

Kenneth Omeruo (cpt-22) -- 6.2 -- With Ekong out on account of a reported injury, Omeruo started and was named captain.  He provided credible but largely uneventful performance at the center of the 5-man defense.

Calvin Bassey (21) -- 6.5 -- Bassey had a strong presence at the center of the defense and earned a booking very late in the game.

Ola Aina (2) -- 6.7 -- Aina started at the left instead of the right of the defense in this game. His day started poorly with several miscued passes but he gradually grew into the game to provide a credible performance. He was replaced in injury time by Awaziem as the manager emptied his bench.

Frank Onyeka (8) -- 6.5 -- Onyeka was everywhere in the opening half but failed to protect the center of the defense allowing the opponents to utilize the gap between defense and attack of the Nigerians.  He ended up as one of multiple Nigeran booked by the match official in a spate of questionable decisions.

Samuel Chukwueze (11) -- 6.2 -- Samuel was critical early on in probing the defense but still is yet to show what he is capable of.

Joseph Aribo (10) -- 6.5 -- Aribo was very hard working early on presenting for passes and moving the ball along. He and Onyeka provided a credible duo early on in the middle.

Moses Simon (15) -- 6.4 -- Simon probed the defense early on. Eventually, it was his delicate cross that forced the defense to concede the only goal of the game.

Victor Osimhen (9) -- 6.5 -- Victor was very active in searching for a goal. He came close several times with a shot and two headers. Eventually, he found the back of the net but the officially correctly ruled it off after discovering that he handled the ball before scoring. Yet, it was Victor's pressure that led to the only goal as an opponent conceded an own goal.

Raphael Onyedika (25) -- 6.3 -- He had 26 minutes on the field and helped Nigeria maintain control of the game for large swaths.

Alex Iwobi (17) -- 6.2 -- Alex started from the bench today and it is unclear whether the manager was simply seeking to introduce new faces given that Nigeria was virtually through the knock out stages before the opening whistle. However, Iwobi did his usual thing by helping the team maintain possession. However, today, he rarely attempted defense-splitting passes and instead settled for the easy and shorter possession type decisions.

Zaidu Sanusi (3) -- X

Bruno Onyeamaechi (13) -- X

Ademola Lookman (18) -- X

Chiedozie Awaziem (20) -- X