AFCON 2021: Super Eagles Qualifies For Round Of 16, Defeat Sudan

By Akinwale Kasali

It took the Super Eagles only three minutes in their Second Group Match against the Falcons of Sudan to score and put their opponent at the back seat.

Good interplay between Joe Aribo and Moses Simon led to the sublime pass that resulted into the opening goal scored by Villarreal of Spain Winger, Samuel Chukwueze.

The goal spurred the Super Eagles into action, mesmerizing and displacing their opponents to the admiration of their fans at the Garoua Stadium, who cheered them on.

A determined Sudanese team took the game to their opponents, but this never resulted to anything meaningful, as the Super Eagles dictated the tempo of the game and kept possession of the ball.

Few minutes to the end of the first half, Union Berlin Football Club of Germany striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, pounced on a misjudged ball by a Sudanese defender to nod into the net and give Nigeria a comfortable lead into the Second half.

It took just a minute into the commencement of the Second Half for Nantes Football Club of France midfielder, Moses Simon to score Nigeria’s Third goal to dash the hope of a likely comeback for the Sudanese.

In the 72nd minute, the South African referee awarded a penalty to the Sudanese after the Video Assistant Referee sighted an infringement on a Sudanese player by Ola Aina.

The referee pointed to the Penalty Spot, as the resultant Spot Kick was converted by Sudan to give the team a consolation goal.

Interim Coach Augustine Eguavoen stuck with his winning team for the Sudanese match, retaining the players that prosecuted the Egypt match.

Maduka Okoye started in Goal, with Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost Ekong, Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi in the defense line up.

Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze were at the heart of the midfield, while Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi led the attack.

Ahmed Musa tasted action for the first time in the competition, coming in for Iheanacho, to further torment the Sudanese defense.

With the victory, the Super Eagles have secured a place in the Round of 16 and on the verge of topping the Group.

The next match for the Super Eagles is just mere formality as it will play its last Group game against Guinea Bissau on Wednesday 19th, January 2022.