In the opening matches in Group A of 2023 AFCON qualifying, Nigeria came out on top in a closely contested and exciting matchup against Sierra Leone with the Super Eagles winning 2-1 while Guinea-Bissau dominated minnows São Tomé and Príncipe 5-1. Moses Simon provided assists on Alex Iwobi’s equalizer and Victor Osimhen’s winner after Jonathan Morsay gave the Leone Stars the lead early on. Meanwhile, in Morocco the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau went down to a shock opener from São Tomé and Príncipe but scored five unanswered goals to cruise to victory.
Nigeria’s first competitive match under new manager José Peseiro got off to a rough start in Abuja when the visiting Leone Stars found a surprise opener in the 11th minute. Musa Noah Kamara collected a pass on the left wing and held onto the ball for a moment before curling in a beautiful cross for the running Morsay, who connected with a brilliant diving header for an excellent goal from the visitors. Soon after Morsay returned the favor by setting up Kamara who nearly doubled the lead but put his shot off the post.
The Super Eagles would respond and began to dominate, finding an equalizer in the 16th minute when Simon had the ball on the left wing and provided a pass to find Iwobi running into the box for a well placed side-footed finish past Sierra Leone keeper Mohamed Kamara. Osimhen gave the hosts the lead in the 41st minute when a cross from Ola Aina on the right flank found Simon at the far post for a header across the penalty area where the Napoli striker stretched to volley past Kamara.
In the other match it appeared an upset might be on the cards for São Tomé and Príncipe after Edmilson Viegas gave the heavy underdogs a lead in the 21st minute. However, Alfa Semedo leveled the match shortly before halftime for the Djurtus and a dominant second half ensured a comfortable victory. Zinho Gano scored twice for Guinea-Bissau with Zidane Banjaqui and Jorginho increasing the lead later on in the second half.
Highlights from the Nigeria victory are below.
Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone
Guinea-Bissau 5-1 São Tomé and Príncipe
🥰🥰 Nigeria all the way