2023 AFCON QUALIFIER: NIGERIA BEAT GUINEA BISSAU TO GO TOP OF GROUP A

Nigeria moved back to the top of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying pool on Monday after Moses Simon’s 30th-minute penalty condemned hosts Guinea Bissau to a one-goal defeat at home

The Eagles, just as it happened in the first leg in Abuja, created numerous opportunities but failed to put the ball behind goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.

Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze could not convert chances in the first half before Moses Simon made good from six yards to put Nigeria in front for the first time in the fixture.

The Djurtus looked dangerous as they did in the first leg in Abuja but failed to overpower the new Kenneth Omeruo/Semi Ajayi combination in the centre of Nigeria’s defence, even as Bright Osayi-Samuel again showed plenty of evidence that he has come to stay at the Super Eagles’ right back.

Osimhen was denied a goal by the upright in the 59th minute when he flashed a shot past Mendes, and four minutes later, the Napoli man simply blew it skywards after being put through by Samuel Chukwueze.

In the 69th minute, Osimhen was again foiled by the alertness and diligence of Mendes after Simon sliced one from the left flank. Two minutes later, substitute Joe Aribo was also cracking his knuckles after Mendes got a strong hand to push over his fierce shot from just outside the box.

With the Victory, the super Eagles have returned to the top of the table with nine points, with Guinea Bissau second on seven and Sierra Leone, who spanked Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday are third on five points.

The next round of the qualifiers will be in June when Nigeria travel away to Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau will take on bottom-placed Sao Tome and Principe