Published on : 15/01/2022 – 12:00Modified : 15/01/2022 – 19:05
Nigeria fulfilled their mission by qualifying for the round of 16 with a clear victory against Sudan with the score of 3-1. As impressive as in their first game, the Super Eagles are among the teams in form of the CAN-2022.
Nigeria clinched its ticket to the round of 16 of CAN-2022 by recording a second victory in group D, Saturday January 15, against Sudan (3-1). The Super Eagles largely mastered the game while the Sudanese were quickly overtaken.
From the start of the match, Augustine Eguavoen’s players took control by scoring a first goal in the 3rd minute, the fastest goal of the competition so far. On a distant touch from Olo Aina, Simon recovers the ball then serves Chukwueze full axis at the penalty spot. The striker just has to adjust his strike towards the Sudanese goal.
The Nile Crocodiles quickly try to react by monopolizing the ball and trying to go on the offensive, but Nigeria remain solid and well placed. At the end of the first half, the Super Eagles put the turbo back on. In the 36th minute, they miss two big chances in quick succession. On a distant free kick, Aribo finds Troost-Ekong but his shot is stopped in extremis by the Sudanese goalkeeper. A few seconds later, another powerful strike from Aribo is repelled by the post. His teammate Awoniyi tries to take over, but the ball is cleared by the Sudanese defense under great pressure.
Nigeria pushed before the break and ended up making the break in the 45th minute. On a new free kick, Troost-Ekong recovers from the head, but fails to frame. His ball falls on that of his teammate Awoniyi who scores without really expecting it.
Nigeria on display
As soon as the recovery, the Super Eagles drive the point home with a 3rd goal. In the 46th minute, the Nantes player Moses Simon manages to infiltrate the area on the left side after a magnificent control of the chest. Alone against the Sudanese goalkeeper, he puts the ball in the back of the net.
On a cross, Awoniyi is then close to further worsening the score. The Nigerian striker finds himself in a favorable position in front of the goal, but his shot is not strong enough and is pushed back by a Sudanese defender (52nd).
Completely stunned, the Sudanese are unable to create chances. However, they get a penalty after a shirt pulling from Aina in the box. Khedr transforms it in the 70th minute and offers the Crocodiles a first goal for ten years in the African Cup.
After a draw and a defeat, Sudan will have the difficult task in their third match against the Egyptian ogre if they still have hope of qualifying. Nigeria will meet Guinea-Bissau to finish the group stage in style and secure first place.
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