Nigeria beat Guinea-Bissau 1-0 to progress to the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny yesterday. 

Nantes winger Moses Simon powered down the left flank before playing a cross in search of Victor Osimhen, but the pass was intercepted by Opa Sangante, who then sent the ball into the roof of his own goal to give Nigeria a 1-0 win.

Nigeria had the ball in the back of the net a second time through Osimhen, but the goal was ruled out for a handball after the Napoli striker appeared to handle the ball just before tapping home.

Osimhen had the clearest chance of the second half but failed to convert from a pin-point Ola Aina cross, sending his header just wide of goal.

Guinea Bissau thought they had secured an equaliser against the run of play when Franculino Dju beat Stanley Nwabali with a powerful effort, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The same fate befell Nigeria seconds later, as Ola Aina had the ball in the net following a saved shot by Osimhen, but the goal was also ruled out as the Napoli forward was offside.

Jose Peseiro’s side finished second in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea, who beat hosts Ivory Coast 4-0.

The Super Eagles will face the second-placed side from Group C, which will be Senegal, Guinea or Cameroon, in the last 16 on Saturday.

Daily Trust