African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen scored for Nigeria as they disillusioned in a 1-1 Africa Cup of Nations Group A draw with Equatorial Guinea in Abidjan on Sunday. Osimhen levelled within the first half virtually instantly after Iban Edu had opened the scoring in match that ended with each groups on one level, two fewer than leaders and hosts Ivory Coast. The two-yearly African soccer showpiece kicked off on Saturday with Ivory Coast beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in the identical stadium.

Nigeria, 46 locations greater than Equatorial Guinea on the earth rankings, had been anticipated to start their marketing campaign for a fourth African title with a victory.

Given a lot of the pre-match consideration was on Osimhen, it was becoming that the star who as soon as bought newspapers on the bustling Lagos streets to eke out a residing, was first to threaten.

Offered a half likelihood exterior the field within the fifth minute, the Napoli ahead produced an uncharacteristic end as he blazed over the crossbar.

Nigeria dominated the early possession and will have taken the lead 10 minutes right into a match that attracted a small crowd to the 60,000-seat Ebimpe Olympic Stadium.

A low cross from the proper eluded everybody besides Super Eagle Zaidu Sanusi on the far publish, however his shot was too excessive and extensive.

As the half progressed the Equatoguineans got here extra into the sport and went forward on 36 minutes by means of a midfielder whose title differs relying the place he performs.

Ivan Salvador Edu is named Ivan Salvador in Spain, the place he was born, however in Africa he’s Iban Edu, the title on his shirt on this match.

Edu took a move simply contained in the field from Jose Machin and used his left foot to position the ball into the nook of the web previous stationery goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria reacted swiftly with Osimhen levelling simply two minutes later in a stadium on the outskirts of the Ivorian financial capital.

The equaliser was an “Italian” affair as Ademola Lookman of Atalanta crossed and Osimhen from the defending Serie A champions nodded into the web on the far publish.

As the second half unfolded, Equatoguinean Jesus Owono was a lot the busier goalkeeper and used his toes a number of instances to foil a Nigerian staff within the ascendancy.

Nigeria suffered a blow halfway by means of the half when livewire midfielder Alhassan Yusuf — a late addition to the squad rather than injured Wilfred Ndidi — retired injured. 

Osimhen wasted an awesome likelihood to place his nation forward on 76 minutes as, one-on-one with Ewono, he fired previous the goalkeeper but additionally extensive of the purpose.

In the second spherical of Group A matches on Thursday, Equatorial Guinea meet Guinea-Bissau earlier than the potential spotlight of the mini-league pits Ivory Coast in opposition to Nigeria.

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