Category : Local & International News | Author: Anonymous Published on 2023-03-27 19:09:56
The presence of top strikers like Victor Osimhen,
Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze notwithstanding, the Super Eagles,
again, flopped at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, yesterday, losing 0-1 to
Guinea Bissau in an AFCON qualifier.
The result of
the match, which has put the Wild Dogs on top of Group A, left the fans
frustrated yesterday with a majority of them calling for the immediate sack of
coach Jose Paseiro. It was the second meeting between the two countries at the
senior international stage, with the last encounter at the 2022 AFCON group
stage in Garou, Cameroun, ending 2-0 in Nigeria’s favour. That was under coach
Augustine Eguavoen.
But it was a
different ball game in Abuja yesterday. The defeat came just three days after
Guinea forced Nigeria’s U-23 team to a 0-0 draw, thereby putting the nation’s
qualification to Paris 2024 Olympics Games at great risk.
France-based
Mama Samba Balde scored for Guinea Bissau in the 30min to silence the home
crowd. It was his second international goal for his country.
Super Eagles
coach, Paseiro, made two changes at halftime, as Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu
came in to replace Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho.
The second
half started with the Super Eagles pushing hard for an equalizer. Semi Ajayi
came in to replace injured Kevin Akpoguma in the 53rd minute, while Samuel
Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu, Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Osimhen had chances to
equalize, but all efforts proved abortive. Frank Onyeka came in to replace
Ndidi in the 67th minute, as the Nigeria team continues to look for a way to
strike a balance in the midfield.
Though, the
Super Eagles dominated possession, but could not convert their chances. With
time running out, Paseiro brought in team captain Ahmed Musa to replace Samuel
Chukwueze in the 86 minute to make his 108th appearance for Nigeria.
About a year
ago, angry Nigerian fans stormed the pitch of the MKO Abiola Stadium after the
Super Eagles, led then by coach Eguavoen, failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 FIFA
World Cup.
The result saw
Nigeria drops to the second position with 6pts in Group A, while Guinea Bissau
moves to the top with 7 points. The second leg of the game comes up next
Tuesday, March 28 in Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau,
who have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations three times in their history,
began their campaign by defeating Sao Tome and Principe 5-1 before drawing 2-2
with Sierra Leone in Conakry.
The Wild Dogs
had promised to cause an upset against the star-studded Super Eagles after
their last training on Thursday, which they did yesterday.