TheCable

Super Eagles of Nigeria have defeated Guinea-Bissau in their second meeting in days to take control of their group in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Moses Simon’s penalty secure vital points in a 1-0 victory over the Djurtus in a fiercely contested clash at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday.

The Jose Peseiro-led team bounced back from the disappointing 1-0 loss to the Djurtus in Abuja on Friday.

The Portuguese made five changes to the starting line-up that was defeated in the last game. The back two of Semi Ajayi and Kenneth Omeruo replaced Carvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma while Frank Onyeka came on for the rusty Wilfred Ndidi.

In the attack, Terem Moffi and Simon got the nod ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman.

The rejig in the team demonstrated the demand that Peseiro and Nigerians asked of the Eagles. The response from the players proved fitting.

Nigeria almost took the lead within the first two minutes but Omeruo’s header from a corner kick was palmed away by Jonas Mendes, the Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper.

Moffi also saw his shot blocked off by the ever-present green line of Djurtus defenders before the striker then missed an even bigger chance when he skied the ball in front of Mendes after muscling his way into the goal area.

But Nigeria got a deserved lead in the 30th minute after Fali Cande scythed down a marauding Bright Osayi-Samuel in the goal area. Simon made no mistake from the resulting penalty kick, sending Mendes the wrong way as he stroked the ball into the bottom right corner.

It was the Eagles’ first goal in four consecutive games and a huge one that lifted the pressure off them in the tie.

In the second half, Victor Osimhen nearly made it two but his effort smashed against the inside of the upright to the striker’s agony.

The victory returns Nigeria to the summit of the group with nine points from four games, two points above Guinea-Bissau.

The Eagles will travel to Sierra Leone in June before hosting Sao Tome and Principe in their final game of the qualification series.

The top two in the group will book an automatic ticket for the upcoming AFCON billed for Ivory Coast in 2024.