It’s the battle of the Eagles and the Falcons when Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Falcons of Sudan 3-1 in the second Group D match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday.
The Nigeria interim manager made no changes to the side that defeated Egypt 1-0 in the first game.
Just three minutes into the game, Moses Simon latched onto a long throw into the Sudan penalty area, and with his back to goal, the Nantes player laid the ball off to Samuel Chukwueze, who found the net with a clinical left-footed strike.
In the 20th minute, Wilfred Ndidi could have made it 2-0 but hit the crossbar with his superb header. Another opportunity came in the 36th when William Troost-Ekong was denied by a sprawling Ali Abdallah Abu-Eshrein before Taiwo Awoniyi poked the ball against the post from close range. Five minutes later, Joe Aribo with a one-two pass in the box but shoot narrowly wide.
The goal would finally come just before the half-time, as Sudan failed to deal with Kelechi Iheanacho’s deep free-kick, which culminated in the ball bouncing off Awoniyi and into the net.
Eagles started where they stopped as Moses Simon put his name on the scoresheet sliding the ball home after a quick one-two with Awoniyi, just one minute into the second half.
Following a VAR review, referee Victor Gomes pointed to the spot and Sudan were given penalty with less than 25 minutes left to play. Walieldin Khidir calmly converted to net his nation’s first goal of the tournament.
Nigeria seat comfortably at the top of the table and joined Morocco and Cameroon in the round of 16. However, the Eagles will still play their last group game against Guinea Bissau on January 19.
MOLATsportgist 