AFCON 2021: Nigeria 3-1 Sudan: Super Eagles qualify for second round after convincing win

It was another convincing win for the Super Eagles of Nigeria after they recorded a 3-1 win over the Falcons of Sudan on Saturday, January 15, 2022.

Two first-half goals from Samuel Chukwueze and Taiwo Awoniyi plus a Moses Simon strike in the second ensured the Eagles maintained a strong grasp of Group D leadership with six points from their first two matches while also confirming their place in the second round of the ongoing African Cup of Nations 

In the second half, the Sudanese rallied and pulled back a goal from the penalty spot after an error from Ola Aina but it wasn’t enough..

The Eagles started with the same starting 11 that won against the Pharaohs last Tuesday.

 Samuel Chukwueze scored the opening goal after just three minutes of intense pressure from the Super Eagles as he coolly slotted past the Sudanese goalkeeper after a precise pass from Moses Simon.

Mohamed Al Rashed tried his luck from 25 yards but Maduka Okoye made a comfortable save.

At the 36th minute, Nigeria should have doubled their lead but Ali Abu-Eshrein made a starring save.

Taiwo Awoniyi, hit the woodwork again as the Eagles pushed to score another goal in the 40th minute. Awoniyi then created a gilt-edged scoring chance for Joe Aribo to score his first AFCON goal, but he missed his effort.

The Union Berlin forward later helped Nigeria get a 2-0 lead on the cusp of half time . It was Awoniyi’s first goal for his country and his third appearance.

Alex Iwobi came on for Chukwueze at the start of the second half as Coach Eguavoen wanted to give his star players a rest.

Soon after, Mose Simon got his reward for all his hardwork in the tournament as he finished low beyond the grasp of Ali Abu-Eshrein.

Awoniyi had another chance in the 52nd minute when Sudan’s captain, Salaheldin Nemer, misjudged his header and the ball fell to Awoniyi but his shot went for a corner..

As the game wore on,  referee Victor Gomes was sent to the VAR monitor in the 69th minute to check a possible penalty which he awarded after Ola Aina held a Sudanese player from a corner kick. 

Walieldin Khedr sent Maduka Okoye the wrong way to make it 3-1.

Substitute Kelechi Nwakali came.in for Joe Aribo who shot straight at Abu-Eshrein from a freekick in the 72nd minute.

A defensive mixup between Omeruo and Okoye almost gave Sudan a second goal with nine minutes left on the clock. Awoniyi was replaced by Umar Sadiq. At the end Nigeria smiled to the bank and coach Eguavoen can now use the last match to play his second team.

Nigeria’s last group match is against Guinea Bissau on January 19.