2023 AFCONQ : Five observations from Super Eagles' 1-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau
Published: March 24, 2023
Nigeria's Super Eagles could have faced Monday's return leg of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau with the knowledge that they were just a win away from qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Sadly, the Eagles were embarrassed by the Guinea-Bissau side with a shocking 1-0 defeat at the MKO Abiola stadium and must not lose any other game again in the qualification campaign.
Allnigeriasoccer.com presents the takeaways from the match.
1. Poor central defensive performance
The duo of Kelvin Akpoguma and Calvin Bassey were in sixes and sevens and several times were caught off their lines with one of such culminating in the goal scored by Mama Balde.
Akpoguma looked like he was going to have a good game as he made the first tackle of the game but after that, things were not as first expected.
Bassey was even worse on the evening.
2. Poor crosses
The Super Eagles wingers, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze, had average performance on the day especially Lookman whose efforts at either making good crosses or shooting at goal were mostly wide off the mark.
Chukwueze somewhat tried to make amends in the second half before he was subbed off.
3. Pressing game from Guinea-Bissau
There was no fear in the approach of Guinea-Bissau as they matched the Eagles in every aspect of the game.
Victor Osimhen were denied the spaces to exploit.
Only Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze on few occasions, found the freedom to create chances which the attackers did not utilize.
4. Osayi-Samuel takes right back spot
Bright Osayi-Samuel was making only his second international appearance for Nigeria but his performance on his position seemed to be one of very few positives from the shocking loss.
The Fenerbahce defender was defending and also proving to be an outlet for the team.
In the second half, he was at the opposition half a couple of times and created chances that were not taken.
5. Ndidi's worst Super Eagles game
Wilfred Ndidi is widely regarded as the most reliable Super Eagles player after Victor Osimhen.
But the Leicester City midfielder had a very difficult evening.
He was not at his best whilst protecting the defence neither was he able to help find goals at the other end.
Ndidi was particularly at fault for missing a gilt-edged chance in the opposition box when he tried to find a teammate.
Aiming at the goal was a better option.
Izuchukwu Michael
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Genk set N45b asking price for Super Eagles forward amid AC Milan, Fulham and Burnley links
- Done deal: Wycombe Wanderers snap up Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace alum Olabiyi
- Nichols, Harriman-Annous in Arsenal squad for La Manga training camp; Nwaneri missing
- Nigerian central midfielder joins Real Sociedad after release by Arsenal
- Post-match presser: What Super Falcons coach said on first half struggles, subs, Botswana, rotation
- Wafcon 2024: What Super Falcons attackers Ajibade and Ihezuo said about beating Botswana
- 'This is why' – Fabrizio Romano explains why Man Utd are not in the race to sign Osimhen
- Super Falcons ratings: Ihezuo delivers; Ohale reliable; Oshoala, Payne struggle; Madugu reactive
- Wafcon 2024: Five things we learned from Super Falcons' hard-fought win over Botswana
- Botswana 0 Nigeria 1: Late Ihezuo goal seals win for Super Falcons against stubborn Mares


- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- keo nha cai
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88