Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Equatorial Guinea in their opening fixture of the 2023 African Cup of Nations campaign in Ivory Coast.
The match kicks off at 3 pm (Nigerian time) as Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi, among others lead Nigeria’s attack.
PUNCH Online gives you a timely update on the Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea match.
Nigeria’s full lineup is as follows;
23. Nwabali (GK)
2. Aina
5. Ekong (C)
6. Ajayi
3. Zaidu
4. Yusuf
8. Onyeka
17. Iwobi
18. Lookman
15. Simon
9. Osimhen
KICK OFF Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea: 3PM
01′: Iwobi of Nigeria kicks the ball to start the match
04′: A mistake from Equatorial Guinea’s keeper, Iwobi passes to Osimhen, who shoots wide. Nigeria is currently dominating the match
05′: A close header following a cross from Aina, the call is an offside.
09′: A dangerous cross from Yusuf to the left side, the post is wide open, but Zaidu at the far end is unable to convert.
12′: Foul in a potentially dangerous position for Nigeria. A rebound, but Yusuf fires too high. Goal kick for Equatorial Guinea
15′: Equatorial Guinea striker falls in the box, no penalty decision, however, he was offside already.
20′: Equatorial Guinea finds their feet; the play is balanced as both teams are equally in possession of the ball.
20′ BIG CHANCE! Osimehn is one-on-one with the goalkeeper, a good shot on target is played, but the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper is up to the task. The linesman raises the flag as Osimhen is ruled offside.
22′: Equatorial Guinea gets a corner, following a dangerous counter attack. Ajayi blocks a potential cross from the Equatorial Guinea captain. A goalkick for Nigeria following a wide frot from Equatorial Guinea.
25′: The first yellow card of the game arrives for Equatorial Guinea following a foul on Lookman in the centre of the pitch.
26′: Water break
37′: GOAL! for Equatorial Guinea. A well placed finish from the Equatorial Guinea no 6, Iban Salvador.
39′: GOAL! for Nigeria. Quick response from the Super Eagles team. Osimehn scores a header, following a cross from Lookman. Game on
45′: Nigeria is dominant, 4 minutes added for stoppage time
45′: Moses Simon shoots at the keeper’s near post, a good shot meets a good save. Corner for Nigeria
45+4: Half Time Break
46′: Equatorial Guinea gets the second half underway
49′: Nigeria breaks on a counter; Yusuf plays a pass to Simon, but in the end, a goal kick. Nigeria has held more of the possession since the start of the second half.
53′: Woeful play after a wonderful counter from Nigeria. Lookman’s follow up shot is high ad wide. Nigeria has failed to convert another big chance.
54′: Great save from Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper, Jesús Owono, after a shot from Osimhen. Nigeria has a freekick in a dangerous position.
56′: Following series of events in the opposition’s box, an Equatorial Guinea player is down. play resumes shortly afterwards.
57′: Nigeria 1- 1 Equatorial Guinea.
67′: Chukwueze and Aribo come in to replace injured Yusuf and Simon. The game is getting heated as both teams fight for the win.
69′: Water Break
[Kindly refresh for the latest update]
