- Super Eagles secure last-16 berth
- Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon on scorers sheet
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Another impressive display on Saturday evening saw Nigeria cruising past Sudan 3-1 to guarantee their place in the last 16 round of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon.
Clearly building on their exciting victory over Mohammed Salah-led seven-time champions, Egypt in a heavyweight Group D opener on Tuesday, the Super Eagles were unstoppable dealing with the limited opposition from Sudan. All thanks to goals from Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon.
However, Walieldin Khedr Safour Daiyeen got Sudan off the mark at their first AFCON tournament for a decade with a second half consolation penalty after a foul by Eagles’ wing back, Ola Aina.
With a match left to go in the Group D classifications, the result means Augustine Eguavoen’s side join hosts Cameroon by sealing a spot in the knockout rounds, with their final group game slated for Wednesday evening, January against Guinea-Bissau.
Unchanged from the side that secured the 1-0 win over Egypt through Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half magical goal, the Super Eagles struck just after three minutes of proceedings inside the Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua.
After the Sudanese panicky defence failed to deal with a long throw-in from Aina, the ball was eventually knocked down for Villarreal winger Chukwueze, who riffled home the opening goal of the night.
With no shortage of chances to extend their lead before the interval, Nigeria could not convert other opportunities until a slightly bizarre second on the stroke of half-time.
A free-kick from the right was flicked on by captain William Troost-Ekong and the ball was deflected onto the head of Taiwo Awoniyi – who certainly did not know much about it – before squirming under the grasp of Sudan goalkeeper Ali Abdallah Abu-Eshrein.
Nantes forward, Moses Simon joined the goal scoring party just after the second half began while Sudan got their consolation from the spot after Ola Aina fouled an opposing player in the penalty area.
