Nigeria booked their place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations as they picked up a 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau. The Super Eagles went into their final group-stage match knowing a point would secure their progression through to the last-16, though even defeat might still have left them qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
It was a relatively sluggish start from Nigeria, but they took a narrow lead into the break. Moses Simon played the ball across the face of goal and, with Victor Osimhen lurking at the back post waiting for a tap-in, Opa Sangante smashed it into his own net.
In an open second-half, Osimhen went close on a number of occasions to getting himself on the scoresheet, having one goal ruled out for handball after he scored from a yard out, and then heading wide when free six-yards out.
Franculino had the ball in the net for Guinea-Bissau, as they pushed for a late equaliser, but he was denied by the offside flag, as was Nigeria’s Zaidu Sanusi when he then thought he had scored seconds later.
Nigeria did not find a second goal but it mattered not, as they saw out the match to secure a victory that sees them safely through. The Super Eagles finished second in Group A, behind Equatorial Guinea, and will face Senegal, Guinea or Cameroon in the last-16.
Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria potential lineups
Guinea-Bissau will likely line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Mauro Rodrigues, Carlos Mané and Mama Baldé leading the charge.
On the other hand, a 3-4-3 formation worked out well for Jose Peseiro, so he might adopt something similar on Monday. Stanley Nwabali is expected to retain his place in the starting XI for the Super Eagles.
Guinea-Bissau
Goalkeeper: Ouparine Djoco.
Defenders: Fali Candé, Sori Mané, Marcelo Djaló, Jefferson Encada.
Midfielders: Moreto Cassama, Janio Bikel, Alfa Semedo.
Forwards: Mama Baldé, Franculino Dju, Mauro Rodrigues.
Nigeria
Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali.
Defenders: Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi.
Midfielders: Zaidu Sanusi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Ola Aina.
Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze.
