- Super Eagles Down Burundi’s Swallows 1-0
BY COBHAM NSA – Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday flagged-off their 2019 AFCON campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over tournament debutants, the Swallows of Burundi.
For about 77 minutes inside the resplendent Alexandria Stadium, the Group B favourites struggled against a well-organised Burundian side in a very lively encounter that kept the spectators on their toes cheering.
Thanks to the lone strike by second half substitute, Odion Ighalo, the Super Eagles were rescued from their obvious misery to cart home all three points st stake.
The goal, a masterpiece delivery by Ighalo, came off a stunning back-heel assist from wing back, Ola Aina.
But before respite eventually came in the 77th minute, it was all frustration for Coach Gernot Rohr and his men as they seemed to lack ideas on how to go past the closely-knitted Swallows’ defence line.
Nigeria, currently at 89 places above Burundi in FIFA’s world rankings, struggled for long periods in the match with forwards unable to string together passes needed to break down the stubborn Burundians as the minutes ticked away.
Despite spirited efforts in the closing minutes of the game, Burundi could not salvage the day as the Super Eagles held on stoutly to move atop the Group with three points followed by Guinea and Madagascar with one point each, having played out a 2-2 draw in the second Group B match.
And basking in the euphoria of the slim victory, Nigerians took to social media, showering praises on the Super Eagles for their doggedness against the dogged Burundians.
For most part of the match, the Coach Olivier Niyungeko’s men gave the three-time African champions no breathing space until that fateful 77th minute when substitute Odion Ighalo broke the deadlock.
Shoving off the stress of their long wait for the goal, fans across the country have continued to express satisfaction with the Super Eagles’ overall performance.
Most of them were quite generous with their commendation for the team, especially what they described as “the amazing pass from Aina and the resultant stunning strike by Ighalo
Some of the flowery commendation stated thus:
Dear Ighalo, – All the sins you committed at the World Cup are now forgiven.
Signed Nigerians #NGABDIpic.twitter.com/G9GVUxAjf7 – OGA Nelson (@theoga_nelson) June 22, 2019
#NGABDI – Dear Ola Aina, > > My God will immensely bless you. > > Yours truly, > “Happy” Nigerians. > pic.twitter.com/XT43sKNbE3 > > — Omoniyi Israel (@omoissyy) June 22, 2019
World class goal – World class assist. #AFCON2019 #NGABDI #NGAhttps://t.co/LZqCgtHwPE – Odunayo Emmanuel (@odunayoemmanuel) June 22, 2019
Ola Aina after that back heel pass to assist Ighalo….. #NGABDI#TotalAFCON2019pic.twitter.com/4iPL0j7XOX – The godf ather (@blackky_ik) June 22, 2019
GROUP B STANDINGS AFTER MATCH DAY ONE
|
Countries |
P | W | D | L | PTS | GF | GA |
GD |
|
Nigeria |
1 | 1 | – | – | 3 | 1 | – | + 2 |
| Guinea | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 2 | 2 |
+ 0 |
|
Madagascar |
1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 2 | 2 | + 0 |
| Burundi | 1 | – | – | – | 0 | – | 1 |
– 1 |
