Nigeria became the first nation to book their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Guinea at Alexandra Stadium on Wednesday.
Guinea had the first decent attempt on goal after just two minutes.
Ibrahima Cisse struck the ball fiercely towards the centre of goal with Daniel Akpeyi unable to hold on to the ball but thankfully for him, the Super Eagles defence cleared their lines.
Sory Kaba then came close for the Guineans in the ninth minute as his shot went narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.
The Super Eagles had their first decent opportunity in the 14th minute when Peter Etebo’s corner was headed narrowly wide by Wilfred Ndidi. In the 21st minute, Guinea won a free-kick on the edge of the box when Issiaga Sylla was fouled by Moses Simon.
Francois Kamana curled his effort on to the roof of the net – not far off at all.
Nigeria should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark. Simon’s through-ball released Odion Ighalo clear on goal down the right-hand side and the China-based striker should have squared the ball to an unmarked Ahmed Musa for a simple tap-in but selfishly went for goal from a tight angle only to hit the side-netting.
Arsenal star Alex Iwobi then brought a smart save out of Ibrahima Kone with a right-footed effort towards the bottom right-hand corner after playing a one-two with Ndidi. Guinea had the first chance of the second half in the 53rd minute. François Kamano’s right footed shot from outside the box was close, but missed to the right after he was assisted by Cisse.
Iwobi forced Kone in to action once again on the hour mark when he cut inside from the left, putting the ball on to his favoured right foot before curling the ball towards the top left-hand corner, but in the end it was a fairly comfortable save for Kone, who diverted the ball away from danger and out for a throw-in. Soon after, Etebo’s free-kick was punched away by Kone after Ighalo had won the free-kick of Ernest Seka.
The Super Eagles were rewarded for their dominance when they broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute. Simon Falette conceded the corner and Simon delivered the ball to the near post where centre-back Kenneth Omeruo was on hand to head in to the back of the net, with Kone unable to keep it out despite getting a hand to it.
Guinea pushed forward in search of an equaliser but there were no further clear-cut chances created as Nigeria wrapped up their second successive 1-0 win.
