AFCON 2022, Nigeria 3-1 Sudan
By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA
Nigeria has won victory over Sudan, with 3-1 at the Africa Cup of Nations which booked their spot in the last 16.
Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze struck after just three minutes of Saturday’s clash at the Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua to set Nigeria – who beat Egypt in a heavyweight opening fixture – on their way to a second straight win in Group D.
Samuel Chukwueze set the ball rolling for the Super Eagles in the third minute from a Moses Simon pull-back.
Nigeria doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when the ball went in off Taiwo Awoniyi and Simon rolled in a third straight after the restart.
Taiwo Awoniyi added a second in slightly fortunate circumstances on the stroke of half-time, before Moses Simon struck straight after the interval.
Walieldin Khedr Safour Daiyeen notched Sudan’s maiden goal of the tournament – and his first at international level – from the penalty spot with 20 minutes left after VAR intervened following a foul by Ola Aina.
But that proved to be only a consolation goal as Augustine Eguavoen’s side comfortably saw out their latest triumph that sees them join hosts Cameroon and Morocco in the knockout rounds.
Nigeria had won their Group D opener against Egypt 1-0, and the result against a side ranked 125th in the world was never in doubt after Villarreal forward Chukwueze slotted into the bottom left-hand corner from the centre of the box.
The Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to replace long-serving coach Gernot Rohr just four weeks before the tournament looks to have paid off, as interim boss Augustine Eguavoen once again saw his side put in a largely dominant performance in Garoua.
The second was a somewhat freak goal, as a clearing header from Salaheldin Nemer cannoned in off Awoniyi, but the West Africans could have had further first-half goals as William Troost-Ekong had an effort blocked and Joe Aribo hit the post.
Hopes will be rising that the Super Eagles, who are chasing a fourth Nations Cup triumph, can add to their three AFCON titles, the last of which was won in South Africa in 2013.
