Nigeria continued their exceptional form at the Africa Cup of Nations as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the Roumde Adjia Stadium on Wednesday to ensure maximum points from Group D.
The Super Eagles were in cruise control throughout the matchday 3 encounter and dispatched the Djurtus before they will face one of the best third-placed teams in the last 16.
Their performances have already placed them up there among the likes of Cameroon and Senegal as one of the tournament favorites and this article will deliver five talking points from Nigeria’s group stage campaign.
Nigeria have been slick and confident right from the kickoff of their campaign against Egypt and that bravery became the hallmark of their group stage performances as they quickly shook off the lack of bite that characterized Gernot Rohr’s final games in charge.
In Cameroon, the front four have been given attacking liberty despite not shirking their defensive responsibilities. This has allowed the players to express themselves better and work without pressure.
Thus, five of the first six goals scored by Nigeria at AFCON 2021 have come from different attacking goalscorers. Against Guinea-Bissau, Sadiq Umar also scored his first international goal on his full debut for the Super Eagles to continue the encouraging trend.
This was all thanks to Iheanacho’s exquisite outside-of-the-foot pass to set up the Almeria forward for a tap-in, the Leicester City man and Moses Simon have now registered at least a goal and assist each at the continental showpiece.
The stark improvement of the Nantes attacker in the Super Eagles shirt has been thanks in no small part to Augustine Eguavoen. The interim manager has shifted Simon to the left wing and encouraged him to be more direct and use his innate skill and pace to beat defenders, invariably creating space for the attack.