Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea: Wasteful Super Eagles held to stalemate

Victor Osimhen scored a first-half equaliser, but Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations Group A opener against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in a steamy Abidjan, failing to convert their pressure into three points.

Equatorial Guinea's Iban Salvador scored a surprise opener against the run of play, but the lead lasted only two minutes before Napoli forward Osimhen equalised for Nigeria.

The West Africans dominated the chances after that, but Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono was in fine form, making several outstanding saves despite some poor finishing.

Nigeria will face hosts Ivory Coast in a potentially crucial pool match on Thursday, while Equatorial Guinea will face Guinea-Bissau, which lost 2-0 to the Ivorians in the tournament's first game on Saturday.

The game started slowly, but then picked up with two goals in as many minutes near the end of the first half.

Nigeria's Zaidu missed an open goal at the back post after a cross from the right evaded everyone and fell kindly to him, but he skewed his shot high and wide with the goal gaping.

Equatorial Guinea took the lead after 36 minutes thanks to a fine finish from Salvador.

Nigeria failed to clear the ball due to some hesitant defending, and when Salvador was set up by Jose Machin 18 yards from goal, he side-footed a shot into the bottom corner with a clinical finish.

However, the lead lasted only two minutes, as Nigeria responded almost immediately.

Winger Ademola Lookman delivered a cross from the left to the back post, and Osimhen scored his 21st international goal with the simplest of headers.

Moses Simon then forced a good low save from Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono when his shot appeared to be heading for the bottom corner as the teams went into halftime tied 1-1.

Zaidu had another fantastic chance for Nigeria early in the second half, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper, while Osimhen was denied by the Alaves goalkeeper's head.

It will be viewed as two points dropped by the Super Eagles, who have recently received harsh criticism following 1-1 draws with tiny Lesotho and Zimbabwe in World Cup qualifiers in November.

SportsLigue