Guinea Bissau v Nigeria summary: score, goals, highlights, AFCON 2021, Group D

A game that went according to script

While some may have hoped for a some form of surprise, the reality is the Djurtus never quite showed any real signs of breaking Nigeria's lines. Though they were for the most part organized in their defense, it was their offense that showed no innovation or creativity.

In the end Nigeria will be pleased to have finished with maximum points for the first time since 2006 and of course a spot in the last 16. The Super Eagles have come in for some critique of late, however, any doubters will have to acknowledge that it was indeed a tidy performance from the boys in green.

Facing a team that was at the least physical and most definitely organized it would have been easy for teams with less quality to lose focus, that was not the case for the Super Eagles on the night, however, as the gulf in class was definitely on show with English Premier League players on the field.

With that said went want to both welcome you to our live text coverage here on AS USA as well as wish you a goodnight. If you just joined us, you missed quite a physical tussle between Nigeria and Guinea Bissau in the final game of Group D in the 2022 AFCON.  The Super Eagles of Nigeria ran out 2-0 winners over the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau and now advance to the last 16 of the tournament, while their opponents must face the sadness of elimination. Be sure to join us next time for our live text coverage of the 2022 AFCON here on AS USA!

And that's all she wrote. The referee has blown his whistle for the final time which means Nigeria advance to the last 16, while Guinea-Bissau must make their way home having been eliminated.

Guinea-Bissau see a wild effort from Fali Kande go well over the bar.

The teams appear to be playing out the time at this point, with Guinea-Bissau seemingly accepting their fate.

Nigeria restarts with a goal kick which leads to a Guinea-Bisau throw in.

We;ve just arrived at the 90th minute and it would appear that the game will finish at 2-0. There will, however, be 5 minutes of added time.

We're closing in on the end of this AFCON Group D match. Nigeria were already secured a spot in the last 16 but they will surely feel happy with having finally shaken their boogeyman by finishing with maximum points, something they haven't  done since 2006!

a decent through ball into Guinea-Bissau's area, but nobody is able to get onto the end of it.

Moses Simon - the substitute - who was the architect of Nigeria's 2nd goal seems to be the difference at the moment as yet again he dribbles his way into the Djurtu's area and almost gets his name on the score sheet!

Guinea-Bissau have seemingly lost their appetite for the fight.

The crowd is in full carnival mode as we enter the last 10 minutes of the game. With the result, one of the giants of African football will surprisingly finish on maximum points in the cup for the first time since 2006!

What appeared to be a second Nigerian goal has been disallowed by the linesman. Though marginal, offside it was indeed!

After decent build up play Kelechi Iheanacho has sees his effort go wide of the far post of the Djurtu's goal.

We've now arrived at the 70th minute mark and Nigeria leads 1-0 in this final match of Group D in the African Cup of Nations. If you're just joining us then allow us to welcome you to our live text coverage here on AS USA!

Guinea Bissau are making two changes: Ambri will enter for Silva and Mendy comes in for Intima. Away we go once again!

A heavy collision in midfield sees a player from either side down. Fali Cande of Guinea Bissau and Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria. Both players require medical attention.

For their part, Guinea-Bissau are not lying down, but they will need to take more care of the ball. Thus far they have been wasteful in possession when arriving in the final 3rd.

With less than half hour left plus stoppage time, things have started to even out in terms of possession - the stats now show 50-50 - however the score is what counts and it's currently 1-0 in Nigeria's favor.

Guinea-Bissau's Mama Balde is on the ground injured. The referee has stopped play to allow medical officials on the field.

Nigeria make yet another substitution, changing Chidera Ejuke for Moses Simon.

Goal scorer Umar Sadiq walks off the pitch and Peter Olayinka enters the fray. Nigeria make their first change.

Nigeria have a corner but are wasteful. The Djurtus attempt to break but are quickly dispossessed once again.

Guinea- Bissau's Moreto Cassama tries his luck from distance but his shot  sails high over the bar. The ball goes out of play and Nigeria will have a goal kick.

A decent crowd on the night!

Given the times we live in with covid-19 restrictions, there has been quite a turn out for this Group D clash!

If you're only now joining us then allow us to welcome you to live text coverage of the 2022 African Nations Cup here on AS USA. The score is currently locked at 0-0 in this final game of Group D between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria.

It's been a gritty first half with not many looks at goal to speak of. Nigeria came closest off of a free kick that was headed over the goal

And that's it for the first half. While there haven't been too many highlight moments to speak of, it has definitely been an intense affair with both teams showing a great deal of physicality while being most respectful.

There will be one minute of stoppage time.

The corner is taken and the ball cleared off a Nigerian head only to find Jorgihno's boot, but the Djurtu's player is unable to direct his volley on goal, missing by a few meters.

Guinea-Bissau have won a corner with 1 minute left of normal time!

The Djurtus are forced all the way home but they manage to retain possession and are now building for one last attack.

Guinea-Bissau have a corner, however, the ball is played way too deep. They regain possession and start from the back. Will there be any surprises before the half time whistle?

With five minutes left in the half plus what will surely be a minuscule amount of stoppage time, it's been a relatively uneventful first 45 minutes, with neither team really threatening the goal.

A heavy foul by Nigeria in midfield, Guinea Bissau to restart.

As we approach the 40th minute Nigeria seem to be playing exactly like what they are, a team that has qualified and does not need to press. The Djurtus on the other hand - who are in fact playing for survival - just can't seem to get it together at the moment.

Nigeria's foward Sadiq Umar has had a few looks tonight, however, nothing definitive. If the Super Eagles are to get off the mark, surely he will have to do better.

A throw-in to Nigeria on the right side deep in enemy territory. The throw, however, is wasted and the Djurtus break only to be dispossessed almost immediately.Nigeria try once again.

If you're just joining us here on AS USA, let us welcome you to our coverage of this final match of Group D in the African Cup of Nations between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria!

Guinea-Bissau continue to show a poise, however, they have not converted into an attacking threat just yet. Surely their coach will want to address that at the half.

From the corner Nigeria are able to register their first shot on goal, but it's a weak effort and only finds the keeper's hands.

After a spell of possession, the Djuruts commit an unforced error by passing the ball directly out of play. Nigeria start with Ejuke down the left side, who once again shows his craftiness as he wins a corner.

Guinea-Bissau are now enjoying some degree of possession, however, they are simply maintaining the ball in defense while trying to find an opening.

For the moment possession stands at 69% in favor of Nigeria to 31% for Guinea-Bissau. That being said Nigeria has not yet put any real pressure on the Djurtu's goal.

While the Nigerians have not really threatened the Djurtu's goal so far, one can see clearly the divide in class between the two teams.

Guinea-Bissau are definitely growing in confidence now as they begin to play the ball around. It appears they have noticed that Nigeria is affording them space to play.

Nigeria's Ebuchi commits a professional foul in midfield to halt what looked to be a promising Djurtu counter attack.

Nigeria with a corner, however, the ball is put too deep. The Super Eagles regain possession and begin to work the ball around the field.

For what has been a relatively physical game there have been few fouls so far. Is it respect or simply the referee being lenient.

For the moment Nigeria seem to be attempt to lure Guinea Bissau into their half as they are yet to break down the Djurtus's defense.

A clumsy foul by Nigeria's Ajayi in mid-field. Guinea-Bissau to restart but they quickly lose possession and Nigeria start down the right side of the field.

Nigeria seem to be settling into a rhythm now, but Guinea Bissau do not seem overawed.

A decent opportunity off an Iwobi free kick but the ball is headed over the bars by Ajayi.

Nigeria with the free kick.

A foul on the left wing results in a free kick to Nigeria from what could be considered a good vantage point.

Nigeria in their first real moment of danger manage to dribble the ball into the opponent's area, but in the end are thwarted by some staunch defending.

There has been a collision between Guinea Bissau's Balde and the Nigerian keeper, however, it seems everybody is ok and the referee has once again got things going

So far one would have to say that it's Chidera Ejuke in Nigeria's mid field who has been the most inventive player on the field. His movement with the ball and vision has caused some concern for the Djurtus.

Nigeria are starting to take better care of the ball as they begin to stroke the ball around the park. That being said Guinea Bissau are staying resolute in their defensive shape.

For the moment it would seem that neither team has quite settled, but it's early days in this Group D clash.

A heavy challenge there on Sadio in the area who seems to want a penalty but the referee is having none of it.

Coming to you live from Stade Omnisport Roumdé Adjia in Garoua, this should be an interesting game with one team having qualified and the other fighting for it's chance.

And we're off! As the sound of the band plays in the stands, we are here for this final game of Group D in the African Cup of Nations between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau!

The Ones to Watch!

Guinea-Bissau will as always be hoping that their main man Mama Baldé can put the ball in the net, though its been six games since he last did during a 4-2 win back in September.

Where Nigeria is concerned, Taiwo Awoniyi has continued to show good form in the tournament. Having scored in the 3-1 win over Sudan, the Super Eagles will be hoping that their goal scorer can continue the trend which has seen him score in the last 5 games consecutively.

The lineups for tonight!

Guinea Bissau v Nigeria: welcome

It's been quite a few years since Nigeria won all three of their group games in the AFCON Cup - not since 2006 to be precise - yet that's exactly what the Super Eagles will be hoping to do when they go into their final Group D tonight.

Having already got the better of Egypt in their opening game with a 1-0 win before beating Sudan 3-1, the boys in green know that their place in the last 16 is already secure, however, you can bet they will be looking to prove a point. There will of course be players rested, but expect Nigeria to go all out for the win as they are currently the only team remaining with a perfect record.

On the other side of the divide is Guinea-Bissau. The West African nation has only managed a single point in the group stage with a draw against Sudan. That being said, all hope is not lost as they will be all to aware that
the four best third-placed teams advance to the last 16. Should they be able to manage a win against Nigeria, it would go a long way towards securing what would surely be a historic step forward for the 'Djurtus.'