76′ Osimhen with a one-on-chance which he plays inches away from goal.
69′ COOLING BREAK
68′ SUBSTITUTION: Samuel Chukwueze comes on for Moses Simon; Joe Aribo replaces injured Alhassan Yusuf
65′ Ola Aina beats his marker down the right flank but Ngua outstretched right leg keeps the ball out.
64′ Yusuf stretchered off the pitch after going down with a knock.
54′ Osimhen played through on goal but his effort hits the face of Ngua who has been busy since the second half started
53′ Zaidu Sanusi with another chance to get a goal for the Super Eagles but the goalkeeper’s leg stuck it out.
51′ Alhassan Yusuf with a cross that was diverted into the hands of Ngua. Another danger averted for Equatorial Guinea as Nigeria continue to press for a second goal.
46′ Lookman with a chance but the goalkeeper rushes out to pick the ball. Danger averted
45′ Second half begins.
45+2′ Moses Simon with a shot after a fine build up play but Ngua with a touch on the ball have it rolled out for a corner kick.
45′ 4 minutes extra time added.
38′ GOAL!!! Osimhen with a towering header to draw level for the Super Eagles
35′ GOAL!!! Ivan Edu with a curler from inside the box to give Nzalang Nacional the lead.
28′ Yusuf gets brought down in the Super Eagles half. Referee calls for a freekick
26′ COOLING BREAK
26′ YELLOW CARD: Federico Nchama gets the first booking in the game after clipping the run of Ademola Lookman.
24′ Jose Dicombo tries a shot outside the box but his shot trails off the goal post for a goal kick for Super Eagles
23′ Martinez wins a corner for the Nzalang Nacional after outmuscling Semi Ajayi in a duel
21′ OFFSIDE: Osimhen put through on goal but the flag is raised
15′ OFFSIDE: Carlos Martinez with a shout for penalty but the referee rules for offside.
13′ Yusuf fires a shot above the goal net for Nigeria in another attempt to break the deadlock
8′ Nigeria’s Zaidu Sanusi squanders a chance from inside the box after Alhassan Yusuf plays a long cross across the face of goal
6′ Osimhen caught offside after connecting to a cross that was saved by Ngua.
4′ Victor Osimhen latches onto a loose ball but fires over the net.
3′ Basillio Nchama with a run through the Super Eagles defence but Nwabili in goal parries easily.
1′ Alex Iwobi with a shot from outside the box but saved by Jesus Ngua in goal for Equatorial Guinea.
1′ The game is underway.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against the Nzalanga Nacional of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Star Striker Victor Osimhen will lead the attack for the Super Eagles to be flanked by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon in a three-man attack.
In goal, Francis Uzoho was dropped to the bench in favour of Stanley Nwabili who is making his first competitive debut for the Super Eagles along with Alhassan Yusuf in midfield.
Nigeria’s starting XI vs Equatorial Guinea: Stanley Nwabili, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Ola Aina, Alhassan Yusuf, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen.
The game kicks off at 3pm Nigeria time.
Vanguard
