AFCON 2019
Nigeria1-0 Guinea
Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria
Wednesday, 26-06-2019
Three time continental champions, Nigeria sealed a place into the last 16 with a 1-0 victory over group B rivals Guinea on Wednesday evening at Alexandria Stadium.
The Super Eagles needed a Kenneth Omeruo later header to become the first team to qualify for the knockout phase also securing back to back victories.
Guinea dominated possession in the first period of the game but the first open chance fell to Nigeria’s hero against Burundi Odion Ighalo who hit the side net.
Early in the second half, Nigeria created more chances but Guinea custodian Ibrahim Kone made excellent saves to deny Alex Iwobi on a couple of occasions.
In the 71st minute, Liverpool man Naiby Keita who was less productive was replaces by Lass Bangoura and moments later, Guinea’s resilience was broken when Omeruo rose headed Moses Simon’s delivery into the far corner.
Guinea tried to press for the equaliser but Gernot Rohr’s side managed to hold on to their lead and seal a place in the last 16 with a game to spare.
Guinea also introduced on Ousmane Sidibe for Mikael Dyrestam and Bengali Fode Koita for Francois Kamano.
Nigeria also brought on Samuel Chukwueze for Alex Iwobi, Paul Onuachu for Odion Ighalo and Samuel Kalu for Moses Simon.
Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa and Oghenekaro Etebo were cautioned while Guinea’s Ernest Seka was also booked.
Guinea need to win against Burundi on Sunday to stand a chance of progressing to the next round. Nigeria who now sit comfortably on top of the group B with 6 points will play Madagascar in their final group game.
The other games played on Wednesday
-Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
-Egypt vs DR Congo
