Afcon 2023: Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea – Osimhen scores as Super Eagles draw in opening game

Victor Osimhen, the African Footballer of the Year, got off to a good start but missed a one-on-one chance in the second half to clinch the win for Nigeria

Victor Osimhen's quick equalizer saved Nigeria from a shock defeat to Equatorial Guinea in their opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Osimhen nodded in for the underdogs immediately after Iban Salvador's opening goal.

Salvador's superb finish in the first half was his team's only shot on goal and briefly threatened to cause a major upset in the second game of the tournament.

Jesus Owono made several saves in the second half to deny the Super Eagles and Osimhen failed after breaking through.

The draw in the Group A game in Abidjan means both teams are two points behind Ivory Coast, which opened the tournament with a goal 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Saturday.

Equatorial Guinea, 46 places behind Nigeria in the world rankings, were exuberant about taking the lead but conceded a goal straight after the break when Osimhen converted Ademola Lookman's cross and were under pressure for much of the game.

Goalkeeper Owono was in top form but breathed a sigh of relief African Footballer of the Year Osimhen failed after being sent off by Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi with 14 minutes remaining.

Zaidu Sanusi had an early Super Eagles chance lifted high over the bar when debutant Alhassan Yusuf's cross hit the full-back in space in the penalty area.

And Osimhen, the top scorer in qualifying for the tournament, also missed a glorious chance as the game remained goalless, heading Ola Aina's inviting shot wide.

Three-time continental champions Nigeria are aiming to win the trophy for the first time since 2013 but were unable to find a winner in the 2021 finals against opponents who beat defending champions Algeria en route to the quarter-finals.

Owono directed a low shot from Moses Simon onto his left post just before half-time and also fended off attempts from Sanusi, Osimhen and Aina later in the second half.

Equatorial Guinea return to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Thursday (14:00 GMT) when they take on Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria will face Ivory Coast at the same venue (17:00 GMT), pitting two teams considered strong title contenders against each other.

Lineups

Nigeria

formation 4-1-4-1

23Nwabali

2Always5Troost Ekong6Ajayi3Sanusi

8thSeek

15Simon4Yusuf17Iwobi18Look man

9Osimhen

• 23Nwabali
• 2AlwaysReplaced byOsayi Samuelat 83'protocol
• 5Troost Ekong
• 6Ajayi
• 3SanusiBooked for 65 minutesReplaced byBasseyat 83'protocol
• 8thSeek
• 15SimonReplaced byChukwuezeat 69'protocol
• 4YusufReplaced byThey areat 69'protocol
• 17IwobiReplaced byOnuachuat 90+4'protocol
• 18Look man
• 9Osimhen

Substitute

• 1You will
• 7Musa
• 10They are
• 11Chukwueze
• 12Osayi Samuel
• 13Onyemaechi
• 14Iheanacho
• 19Onuachu
• 20Awaziem
• 21Bassey
• 22Homer
• 25onyedika

Equatorial Guinea

formation 4-2-3-1

1This one

15Akapo21Orozco16Coco11Ndong

4homework22Janet

6Salvador7Machin8thwith this

10Sue

• 1This one
• 15Akapo
• 21Orozco
• 16Coco
• 11Ndong
• 4homeworkBooked for 26 minutes
• 22JanetReplaced byBalboaat 74'protocolBooked for 85 minutes
• 6SalvadorReplaced byMorningat 90+3'protocol
• 7MachinReplaced byI doat 86'protocol
• 8thwith thisReplaced byNabilat 75'protocol
• 10Sue

Substitute

• 2Senra
• 3Anieboh
• 5How much
• 12Ondo
• 13The situation
• 14Balboa
• 18She
• 19Morning
• 20I do
• 23let's go
• 26Nabil
• 27You will

Live text

1. The game ends: Nigeria 1, Equatorial Guinea 1.

2. The second half ends, Nigeria 1, Equatorial Guinea 1.

3. Corner, Nigeria. Goal conceded by Carlos Akapo.

4. Attempt failed. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)'s header from close range goes past the left. Supported by Victor Osimhen.

5. Attempt failed. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) tries with his right foot from the right side of the six yard box, but the ball misses far to the left.

6. Attempt saved. Paul Onuachu (Nigeria)'s header from close range is saved at the top center of the goal. Supported by Bright Osayi-Samuel.

7. Attempt blocked. Bright Osayi-Samuel (Nigeria)'s left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area is blocked. Supported by Samuel Chukwueze.

8. Attempt failed. Basilio Ndong (Equatorial Guinea) tries with his left foot from outside the box, but the ball misses to the right after a corner.

9. Corner, Equatorial Guinea. Indebted to Semi Ajayi.

10. Substitution Nigeria. Paul Onuachu replaces Alex Iwobi.

11. Substitution Equatorial Guinea. Luís Asué replaces Iban Salvador.

12. Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea) wins a free kick on the left wing.

13. Foul by William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria).

14. Attempt blocked. Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)'s left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area is blocked. Supported by Frank Onyeka.

15. Delay over. You are ready to move on.

16. Delay in the game (Equatorial Guinea).

17. Offside Nigeria. Victor Osimhen is offside.

18. Substitution Equatorial Guinea. James Eneme replaces Jose Machin.

19. Álex Balboa (Equatorial Guinea) is shown the yellow card for a hard foul.

20. Foul by Álex Balboa (Equatorial Guinea).