He super eagles He went into Friday’s game against Guinea Bissau hoping for victory, but the Djurtus had a game plan that played out perfectly and they came out winning 1-0. A first-half goal from Mama Balde, in the 29th minute, sent the 118th-ranked team to the top of Group A.
José Peseiro started a team similar to the one that fell 4-0 to Portugal last November. Zaidu Sanusi replaced William Troost-Ekong while Joe Aribo, Moses Simon and Terem Moffi started on the bench. Guinea Bissau goalkeeper Dalcio Gomes made his first save against Osimhen in the 16th minute after a pass from Kelechi Iheanacho sent the Napoli striker off.
Balde stunned the Abuja Stadium crowd in the 30th minute when he deftly collected Opa Sangante’s fly ball from beyond the halfway line. Both Nigeria central defenders, Calvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma, were caught faltering. Balde controlled and had time to pass the ball past Francis Uzoho’s desperate shot.
Dalcio Gomes should have added a second in the 36th minute when he beat both Uzoho and Iwobi, but his shot went just wide of the net.
The second half saw Peseiro send out Paul Onuachu and Moses Simon early in the second half to replace the ineffective Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman, who looked lost in the first half. Akpoguma had to leave injured at 51′ after receiving a high boot from Balde, for which he was booked with a yellow card. Semi Ajayi came on for the Hoffenheim defender.
Chukwueze created a great equalizing chance for Simon, but the Nantes man slipped his shot past the post as the Eagles turned up the pressure. Sanusi’s mistake almost gave Balde a second goal, but his shot was tame and straight at Uzoho.
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The Eagles had another chance on goal on the half hour but Ndidi, after being passed over by Osimhen, faltered and his shot on goal was weak and easily cleared. In the 73rd minute, Bright Osayi-Samuel delayed his cut, though his pass to Chukwueze went wide.
The referee added five minutes of stoppage time, but Guinea Bissau held on to famously win and take top spot in Group A with seven points from three games. The teams meet again in Morocco on Monday with the Eagles looking for a quick revenge.
