Serious questions will be asked of José Peseiro and his men, as despite carving out several opportunities on goal – with their contingent of star players and attackers – failed to dispatch a lowly Equatorial Guinea in their first Group A match at the Alasssane Ouattara Stadium in Ivory Coast on Sunday afternoon.Perhaps it makes a ton of sense that Jesus Owono – the Equatorial Guinea keeper – was awarded the game’s man of the match award, but also Nigeria’s profligacy in front of goal, the Super Eagles resulting in a 1-1 draw and extending their recent run of no wins to four.José Peseiro after 17 games: 6W 7L 4D35% win rate — such a shame this how poor we’ve been since he took overNigeria has conceded at least a goal in all but three of the games under the PortugueseWe couldn’t beat lowly-ranked Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶, Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼, Guinea🇬🇳 https://t.co/LEOFEoMmUD— Yūsuf Akínpẹ̀lú. (@AkinpeluYusuph) January 14, 2024 The 94th ranked team in the world stunned world number 40 in the 36th minute when Iván Salvador received a stunning pass from José Machín to slam his shot past an on-looking and bewildered Stanley Nwabali who could only watch on his spot as his side had to mount a comeback.🚨🌍 GOAL | Nigeria 0-1 Equatorial Guinea | Iban SalvadorTHEY HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD VS NIGERIA!pic.twitter.com/EB5skYwL6M— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 14, 2024 Fortunately for them, they had the Serie A duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman combine to see the latter head in at the back post with a deserved equalizer just two minutes after.🚨🌍 GOAL | Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea | OsimhenOSIMHEN HAS EQUALIZED FOR NIGERIA !!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/Gjokljifrg— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 14, 2024 What followed later was a hard watch for the Nigerians, but a brilliant show for Equatorial Guinea, who continue to show why they fancy the so-called big boys.⌚ FULL-TIME!Osimhen’s header cancels out Salvador’s strike as the Super Eagles & the National Thunder play out a 1-1 draw! 🟰#NGAGNQ | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/dxtRsgL4RP— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2024 Match reportIn front of a rather segmented crowd at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, it was the Super Eagles who had their antennas up for this one as they almost led inside the first minute; Alex Iwobi forcing Equatorial Guinea keeper Owono into an early bottom right save.Chance by chance they ticked, as starman Osimhen blazed a decent chance over the bar, before Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi lashed a left footed shot from the center of the 18 yard area high and wide left.##NAJAVA_MECA_7796191##The ‘minnows’ in this case, ranked 94th in the world, landed their first blow when Jose Machin’s right footed shot from outside the box bounced wide, just minutes before Osimhen saw his header from an Ola Aina cross fall in the same direction.The stars were looking to favor Nigeria until a piece of individual brilliance from Machin set Salvador off for a delightful finish from inside the box, striking mayhem into the Nigerians hearts.The Super Eagles would strike back immediately, as Osimhen soared high to meet Lookman’s cross at the back post, drawing the scores level in just a couple of minutes.Odongo stars as Shujaa lift HSBC Challenger Series in DubaiThe star of Equatorial Guinea’s side Emilio Nsue attempted a header, but it was Moses Simon who looked to pip Peseiro’s men into the lead with a low shot that Ngue corralled off the bottom left post and into safety.Nigeria began the second half with the same ferocity, as the pair of Sanusi and Osimhen in the 54th and 55th minute had their shots fall into the arms of Ngua, with Lookman’s left footed shot going over.You would have felt sorry for Jay Jay Okocha not only for this lackluster showing in front of goal, but also when Sanusi was booked for time wasting, not to mention Osimhen missing a point blank opportunity to get his team ahead.Aaaah Nigeria game not sana !!! 🚶🏿 pic.twitter.com/u4BTymGLyJ— MK Jaso’🇿🇲 (@MWakamina) January 14, 2024 The Napoli striker, fed through in an onside position by Alex Iwobi and with the keeper to beat, made slight contact with the ball, but instead of directing it goalwards, sliced it wide.Victor Osimhen big chance missedpic.twitter.com/LSQne2z6KO— ً (@elsdawg) January 14, 2024 The substitutions couldn’t help, as the Equatorial Guinea defense stood high, deflecting every cross that came their way.Giant killers is what they are dubbed afterall.
