Nigeria’s Super Eagles have completed the group stages of the AFCON 2021 with a good record after a 0-2 win over Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday night.
Two goals from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong ensured Nigeria maintained a 100% record in the tournament for the first time since the year 2006.
Super Eagles top Group D with nine points while it’s the end of the road in Cameroon for Guinea-Bissau who crash out with just a point from three matches.
Umar Sadiq opened the scoring shortly after the break following a cross from striker partner Kelechi Iheanacho.
Captain William Troost-Ekong sealed the win after tapping into an empty net after fine work by Moses Simon.
Nigeria expectedly dominated most of the opening half and created the better chances, while the Djurtus were contented with soaking up the pressure and playing on the counter.
Semi Ajayi had the first opportunity in the 15th minute after heading just wide from six yards a beautiful set piece delivery from Kelechi Nwakali.
In the 24th minute, Umar once again found himself with Super Eagles best chance of the half.
Nwakali with another searching pass to set up the Almeria star, but with just the goalkeeper to beat, the giant forward fumbled the opportunity and was easily dispossessed.
Guinea-Bissau finally had a chance thei own just before the break, Jorginho’s dangerous volley in anger off a corner sails just wide.
The first half ended with nothing to separate the two teams.
Three-time champions Nigeria had already topped Group D and knew their round of 16 clash on Sunday would be in Garoua, where they have played all their games so far.
They will have to wait until Thursday night to find out which of the best third-placed sides they face from either Group B, E or F.
Nigeria started the second half as they did the first, on the front foot and almost took the lead when Kelechi Iheanacho almost caught the GB goalkeeper with an audacious attempt from range.
The young goalkeeper was alert tbough and did well to parry to safety the shot from over 40 yards.
Moments later, Nigeria broke the deadlock. Running down the right wing, Iheanacho’s stunning pass with the outside of his left foot finds Umar, who makes amend for all his misses to put Nigeria in front.
A thoroughly deserved lead for the Super Eagles who had been the better side in the game.
Nigeria continued to look for more goals and 15 minutes from time, assistant captain, Troost-Ekong doubled the advantage following brilliant work from substitute Moses Simon.
Simon danced around the Guinea-Bissau defenders before letting fly from seven yards a ferocious effort that rattled the upright before coming off Ekong and into an empty Guinea-Bissau net for a 2-0 lead.
The Super Eagles, meanwhile, showed their strength in depth and that they will take some stopping but there will be far sterner tests ahead for a side buoyed by good support in Cameroon, which Nigeria borders.