Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea (Jan 14, 2024) Sport Evaluation – ESPN

Ed Dove reacts to Nigeria's 1-1 draw towards Equatorial Guinea on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Victor Osimhen scored a primary half equaliser however wasteful Nigeria have been held to a 1-1 draw of their Africa Cup of Nations Group A opener with Equatorial Guinea in a steamy Abidjan on Sunday, unable to show their strain into three factors.
Iban Salvador netted a shock opener for Equatorial Guinea towards the run of play with a well-worked objective, however the lead lasted solely two minutes earlier than Napoli ahead Osimhen headed Nigeria degree.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
The west African aspect dominated the possibilities after that however discovered Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono in wonderful kind as he made a number of excellent saves, to go together with some poor ending.
Nigeria subsequent meet hosts Ivory Coast in a probably essential pool conflict on Thursday, whereas Equatorial Guinea face Guinea-Bissau, who misplaced 2-0 to the Ivorians in Saturday’s event opening recreation.
The match was a gradual burner, however burst into life with two objectives in as many minutes in the direction of the top of the primary half.
Nigeria’s Zaidu missed an open objective on the again submit when a cross from the precise eluded everybody and fell kindly to him, however he skewed his shot excessive and huge with the objective gaping.
Equatorial Guinea took the lead on 36 minutes with a wonderful end from Salvador.
Some hesitant defending noticed Nigeria fail to clear the ball and when Salvador was teed up by Jose Machin 18 yards from objective, he side-footed a shot into the underside nook with a scientific end.
However the lead lasted solely two minutes as Nigeria hit again nearly instantly.
Winger Ademola Lookman hung up a cross from the left to the again submit and Osimhen had the best of headed finishes to attain his twenty first worldwide objective.
Moses Simon then compelled low save from Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono when his shot appeared destined for the underside nook because the groups went to the break at 1-1.
Zaidu had one other excellent probability for Nigeria early within the second half, however fired straight on the goalkeeper, earlier than Osimhen was denied by the pinnacle of the Alaves gloveman.
It is going to be seen as two factors dropped for the Tremendous Eagles, who’ve confronted latest stinging criticism after 1-1 attracts with tiny Lesotho and Zimbabwe within the World Cup qualifiers in November.

source