Nigeria opened their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea at Stade Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe, Abidjan on Sunday.
Coach Jose Peseiro handed Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali his AFCON debut in goal.
Ola Aina, Zaidu Zanusi, Alhassan Abdullahi, William Troost Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman also started the game.
The three time African champions started the game bossing the ball possession as it only took the few seconds of the game for Iwobi to test Jesus Lazaro Owono in goal from outside the box.
After 26 minutes of dominance from the Super Eagles, Equatorial Guinea broke the deadlock against the run of play.
Ivan Edu Salvador gave the Central African side the lead after taking advantage of a cross inside the box to score the opener.
Peseiro’s side were not to lie low and instantly responded with the leveler as Osimhen headed in the equaliser.
The Super Eagles toiled hard to get the wining goal in the second half including a one on one chance by Osimhen to no avail.
They will next face host, Cote D’Ivoire on Thursday while Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea settle score in the other game.
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