2023 AFCONQ Guinea-Bissau 0 Nigeria 1 : Simon nets winner from the penalty spot 

Three-time African champions Nigeria defeated hosts Guinea-Bissau 1-0 on Monday evening to restore their leadership at the summit of the Group A table in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign. 

The Eagles had a very poor reverse fixture on Friday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja as the Djurtus also won by same result. 

The hosts threatened to score in the 6th minute when dangerman, Mama Balde struck the ball from the edge of the box but the Eagles were let off on that occasion.

The trio of Terem Moffi, Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen had their chances to put the Eagles ahead but none were able to find target.

Skipper on the day, Kenneth Omeruo saw his header in the first half cleared for a corner kick.

However the team got the goal they craved for when right back Bright Osayi-Samuel was brought down inside the box.

Nantes forward, Moses Simon stepped up and converted the spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way in the 30th minute. 

Guinea-Bissau had the chance to restore parity after a promising combine play but the chance was wasted much to the relief of Jose Peseiro and his team.

Zaidu Sanusi found his way inside the box but Samuel Chukwueze did not react quickest to the ball and it was cleared. 

Just before the hour mark, Osimhen was unlucky to see his low shot come off the foot of the post after a promising interplay between Alex Iwobi and Terem Moffi who found the Napoli man

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro made a substitution in  62nd minute of the second half as he brought off Terem Moffi for Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo. 

There was a moment of panic for the Super Eagles as goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was beaten by a smart ball but luckily the ball rolled out for goal kick.

The Eagles are now with nine points on the board, two more than Guinea-Bissau, while third-placed Sierra Leone are on five points.  

 Izuchukwu Michael

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