Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau LIVE: Result and reaction as Super Eagles reach last-16
Plus updates from Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast as Group A reaches its conclusion
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The final two matches in Group A take place this evening as the Africa Cup of Nations enters the end of its group stages. Three teams, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, all have the chance to finish top of the table and set up an easier fixture for the first knockout round as there is just one point separating the sides.
Nigeria perhaps have the strongest chance. They are currently second in the table, behind Equatorial Guinea, but face Guinea-Bissau who have yet to win a match. The tournament hosts, Ivory Coast, take on the National Thunder in a huge clash that could leave the loser on the brink of an early exit.
The top two finishers automatically qualify for the next round with the four best third placed teams also sneaking through. Ivory Coast currently sit third but their three points should be enough for them to qualify though they would rather not take the risk. Victory over Equatorial Guinea would propel them up the table and ensure a place in the next round regardless of what happens in Nigeria’s match.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest Afcon odds and tips right here:
Nigeria 1-0 Guinea-Bissau
40 mins: Nigeria will relax now. Ajayi recovers possession as Guinea-Bissau look to break into the final third and the Nigerians build slowly out from the back.
This lead, though slim, is enough to take them to the top of Group A as it stands.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Guinea-Bissau (Sangante OG, 37’)⚽️
37 mins: Nigeria take the lead!
A diagonal ball from Kenneth Omeruo comes over to Moses Simon who brings the ball under control and flies down the wing. He carries the ball into the penalty area and squares it across to Victor Osimhen.
Defender Opa Sangante squeezes ahead of the forward but has to deal with the ball. He tries to lift it over his own crossbar but smokes the attempted clearance into the back of the net.
Nigeria 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
33 mins: A long ball over the top is brought down by Famana Quizera who touches it into the penalty area. He forced to run wide as there are no teammates around him and eventually loses possession trying to cut i back inot the middle.
Nigeria 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
30 mins: The game enters a cooling break with nothing to separate the teams. Guinea-Bissau are defending well but Nigeria look likely to score.
Nigeria 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
27 mins: Things just aren’t clicking for Nigeria in the final third though they’re playing slick football. Osayi dribbles into the box before slipping a pass to Chukwueze at the byline.
He’s blocked off and passes back ot Onyeka whose cross is nodded away.
Nigeria 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
24 mins: In the other Group A match of the evening Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast are locked into a nil-nil deadlock through the opening 20 minutes.
As things stands Nigeria would finish second in the group behind the Equatoguineans.
Nigeria 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
21 mins: Nigeria are knocking on the door. Simon and Osimhen seem so composed inside the penalty area but they’re being well marked by the defenders.
Osimhen lays the ball off to the arriving Joe Aribo who takes a first time shot that gets deflected into the arms of Jonas Mendes.
Nigeria 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
18 mins: Nearly! Frank Onyeka lifts a fine pass over the top after spying a run in behind by Bright Osayi-Samuel. He sticks out a foot towards the ball, connects but softly tips it to Jonas Mendes before the offside flag goes up.
Another offside chance for Nigeria sees the ball lifted across to Osimhen. Mendes flies off his line to punch the ball clear and collides with the striker before Guinea-Bissau are awarded the free kick.
Nigeria 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
15 mins: Guinea-Bissau aren’t being shy about their aims in this match too. They’ve never won a match at the Africa Cup of Nations but believe they can do a job against Nigeria tonight.
Famana Quizera wriggles into space before taking a curling long-range effort from outside the box. He hits it well but curls the effort over the top of goal.
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