HALFTIME: Super Eagles lead 2-0 against Sudan

 

Super Eagles are leading 2-0 in their ongoing Africa Cup of Nations encounter against Sudan in Cameroon.

Samuel Chukwueze’s goal put Nigeria ahead three minutes into the game through an assist from Moses Simon.

At the 45th minute, Taiwo Awoniyi’s header gave the Super Eagles their second goal.

The Nigerian players were dominant and impressive despite being wasteful in the game.

Nigeria and Sudan are meeting for the third time at the Africa Cup of Nations, but it’s their first encounter at the tournament for 46 years.

Sudan won the first match 4-0 in the 1963 group phase whilst Nigeria won the second 1-0 in 1976.

Nigeria have won 10 of their last 12 Africa Cup of Nations games (L2), keeping six clean sheets.

 

Following a draw in their opening match against Guinea-Bissau (0-0), Sudan have managed just one win in their last 14 Africa Cup of Nations games (D6 L7), dating back to the 1972 edition.

Nigeria won their opening game (1-0 against Egypt) to an Africa Cup of Nations for the second tournament running, having failed to win their first match in four of their previous five appearances (W1 D1 L3).

The Super Eagles are looking to win their opening two matches to an Africa Cup of Nations in consecutive tournaments for the very first time.

Sudan players had threatened to shock Nigeria by ensuring that they grabbed the three points in the ongoing game.

Super Eagles interim coach, Austiun Eguavoen, kept faith with Chukwueze for their second Group D game against Sudan despite his lethargic performance in their opening game against Egypt last Tuesday.

Chukwueze was largely anonymous in the team’s historic 1-0 win over the Pharaohs at the Roumde Adjia Stadium last Tuesday and was replaced in the 70th minute for Chidera Ejuke in the encounter.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the match-winner for the Eagles in the 30th minute of the fixture.

Eguavoen also retained the quartet Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, and Zaidu Sanusi in defence while Maduka Okoye keeps his place in goal.

Joe Aribo and Wilfred Ndidi continued their partnership in midfield with Iheanacho playing slightly ahead of the duo.

Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi flanked Chukwueze and Moses Simon who was outstanding in the Eagles opener against Egypt.

The 36th-ranked Eagles aim to record their ninth win against Sudan. Nigeria defeated Falcons of Jediane in eight of their previous 14 encounters (W8, D4, L2).

A win for Nigeria will secure a round of 16 place in the competition.

Eagles starting lineup 4-4-2: Okoye, Aina, Sanusi, Omeruo, Troost-Ekong (C), Ndidi, Aribo, Iheanacho, Chukwueze, Simon and Awoniyi.