2023 AFCON: Victor Osimhen Nets Equaliser As Super Eagles Share Spoils With Equatorial Guinea [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Nigeria Super Eagles settled for a 1-1 draw with the Elephants of Equatorial Guinea in their opening 2023 AFCON fixture, LCSoccerHub Reports.

Coming against the three-time winners of the tournament, Equatorial Guinea nearly pulled a shocker when Iban Salvador came up clutch against the Super Eagles. Receiving a pass from his teammate inside the box, Salvador easily slot home the ball from close range to give Equatorial Guinea the lead.

Nigeria responded promptly with the equaliser, thanks to Victor Osimhen’s header. Positioning near the backpost, Victor Osimhen jumped on Ademola Lookman’s cross to head home the equaliser.

The quickfire double tied the scores before the break as both sides failed to add to the tally.

The game took on a much slower pace in the second half as both sides failed to make any meaningful progress in each other’s half. Equatorial Guinea maintained a more balanced and composed approach with the ball, wielding good possession. They outran Nigeria’s midfield to dominate proceedings but were finding it difficult to break into the Super Eagles’ box.

READ AlSO: 2023 AFCON: Fofana, Krasso Strike as Ivory Coast Breeze Pass Guinea-Bissau! [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

It was a deadlock in the final third for the Elephants and the Super Eagles neither registered a good attempt on the opponents’ goal until the 69th when Victor Osimhen missed a one-on-one chance with the Elephants’ goalkeeper.

After the first-half double, it was barren all through as both sides failed to make out with any good chance going forward. Late substitutions were introduced to ignite the game all to no avail. The match finally ended in a stalemate with both sides sharing spoils.

Nigeria will hope to return to winning ways when they clash with the tournament’s host Ivory Coast in their next game with Equatorial Guinea locking horns with Guinea-Bissau.

Watch Vide Highlights Here