Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea LIVE! AFCON result, match stream and latest updates today – Evening Standard
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Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea LIVE!
The Super Eagles were left to rue their profligacy in front of goal during a frustrating start to the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Nigeria were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw to kick off their Group A campaign in Abidjan, failing to match the exploits of Ivory Coast – who beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 to open the tournament on Saturday night – ahead of their crunch clash with the hosts on Thursday evening.
Despite a dominant start at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, injury-hit Nigeria fell behind in shock fashion against the run of play when Iban Salvador Edu fired neatly into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Giant-killers Equatorial Guinea weren’t in front for long, however, with Nigeria’s attacking talisman Victor Osimhen steering in a header from point-blank range following a deflected Ademola Lookman cross.
Moses Simon hit the woodwork for Nigeria before the interval and the Super Eagles piled on more pressure in the second period, but could not find that elusive winning goal. Follow Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea reaction from AFCON live below!
Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea highlights
Live updates
Wasteful Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea as their latest Africa Cup of Nations campaign got off to a frustrating start in Abidjan on Sunday.
The injury-hit Super Eagles needed a close-range header from star striker Victor Osimhen before half-time to secure a share of the spoils in the second game in Group A, the Napoli marksman answering back within two minutes of a shock Equatorial Guinea opener netted coolly into the bottom corner by Polish-based forward Iban Salvador Edu.
Instead it rather compounded another disappointing AFCON afternoon for Nigeria, who won the last of their three continental titles a decade ago and were dumped out of the tournament in the round of 16 in Cameroon in 2021.
They will have to improve sharply for Thursday night’s high-profile showdown with Ivory Coast, with the hosts having opened proceedings with a comfortable win over Guinea-Bissau on Saturday.
Read the match report in full here
Full-time
96 mins: It’s absolute chaos inside that Equatorial Guinea box now as Nigeria throw everything at getting a last-gasp winner, with efforts and challenges flying in everywhere.
The ball eventually heads out for a corner, but I’m not sure there will be chance to take it…
95 mins: Equatorial Guinea are looking to finish with a flourish as they force a corner deep into second-half stoppage time.
A return delivery is looped up into the air and it’s solid goalkeeping from Nwabali to deny and win a free-kick off Nsue.
93 mins: Chukwueze can’t release Osimhen in added time and another golden Nigeria chance is wasted.
Goalscorer Salvador off for Equatorial Guinea, Luis Nlavo on.
Nigeria have replaced Iwobi with the towering Paul Onuachu.
90 mins: Into SIX minutes of added time at the end of this game.
Can Equatorial Guinea hold on?
Chukwueze releases Lookman, who is denied by a combination of Carlos Akapo and some more brave goalkeeping by Owono.
86 mins: Jose Machin off, Santiago Eneme on is Equatorial Guinea’s latest change.
They are doing a very effective job of killing the clock here.
Time is very rapidly running out for the Super Eagles.
84 mins: Chukwueze and Salvador square up to each other after a meaty challenge as tempers flare.
Balboa into the book for Equatorial Guinea.
82 mins: Nigeria have a chance to swing in a free-kick from out wide, but they can’t make it count.
Full-backs Aina and Zaidu are coming off now.
Fulham’s Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel on for the Super Eagles.
79 mins: Nsue well off target on the counter before Equatorial Guinea understandably attempt to bleed as much time off the clock as possible.
They aren’t in much of a rush to do anything. A point will suit them just fine with Guinea-Bissau to come in their next Group A game on Thursday.
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