2023 AFCONQ : Six takeaways from Super Eagles' 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau 

The Super Eagles restored their pride on Monday evening after a damaging defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the first leg of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Jose Peseiro's team had not won in four successive matches but halted that record with a 1-0 win at the Estádio 24 de Setembro, Bissau - same result that ended the fiasco in Abuja.

Allnigeriasoccer.com here presents six observations from the game. 

1. Guinea-Bissau's defensive plan

The hosts were ultra defensive especially in the first half of the game. They sat back and soaked the pressure from the desperate Eagles. 

2. Nigeria's missed scoring chances

The Super Eagles attacking players; Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Samuel Chukwueze and even the duo of Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo all had chances to score but either wasted their efforts or were simply stopped by the resolute defensive solidity of the hosts. 

3. Tired Wild dogs 

Halfway into the second half, the Guinea-Bissau players especially the defenders dropped their guards and invited pressure after it had seemed they were going for a possible equaliser. 

A good spell by the Nigerians saw Victor Osimhen hit the post with a low shot while Joe Aribo saw his shot palmed away by the goalkeeper for a corner kick.

4. Omeruo joining the attack 

Stand-in skipper Kenneth Omeruo joined the attacking players in search of a goal or more. 

Early in the match, he had a header which might have been a goal but the ball was deflected for a corner kick. 

5. Victor Osimhen was flagged offside a number of times in the first half. 

That spoke to the fact that he was isolated in some moments of the game. 

When he did get on his track and threatened to score, he was stopped by a defence that had little or no fear of his current club form. 

6. Fans Invasion 

The home supporters invaded the pitch of the  Estádio 24 de Setembro, Bissau after the final whistle went up. 

That forced the Super Eagles players to hurriedly leave the field for the dressing room. 

One takeaway from that situation is the fact that teams that hitherto feared the Nigerian national team in the 80s and 90s do not have such fears anymore. 

The fans probably believed that their side  deserved to be winners or good enough to pick up a draw at least. 

Izuchukwu Michael

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