AFCON 2023: Nigeria Held to 1:1 Draw by Equatorial Guinea (Live Updates)

FULL TIME: Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

Nigeria are held to a draw by Equatorial Guinea in a pulsating encounter in Abidjan. A start Nigeria wanted to avoid, but what a result for their opponents.

90+6' A goalmouth scramble, but Nigeria can't find a way.

90+2 Chukwueze has a chance to square the ball to Osimhen, but the cross is blocked

90' Six minutes of added time. Can the Super Eagles find a way through?

83' Caslvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel replace Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi.

80' Ten minutes to go, and Equatorial Guinea are giving a good account of themselves.

76' What a miss! Osimhen has a golden chance to give Nigeria the lead but shoots wide. Unbelievable. Will that come to bite them?

73' Equatorial Guinea are having a good spell in possession after the cooling break, but just lacking the cutting edge.

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68' Substitution Joe Aribo and Samuel Chukwueze replace Moses Simon and Yusuf.

66' Ola Aina's powerful low shot is saved again by Owono.

63' Al Hassan Yusuf is stretchered off the pitch following a collision with Salvador. Looks like a thigh issue.

60' An hour is gone, and these two sides cannot be separated.

57' Owono is having a phenomenal game. He's already made a few incredible stops to deny the Super Eagles.

54' Nigeria nearly take the lead, but Sanusi makes a poor decision, and Equatorial Guinea stay level.

SECOND HALF 46' We're back underway for the second half. Equatorial Guinea gets the ball rolling.

,HALF TIME - The game ends level at the break. Nigeria were stunned by Equatorial Guinea but African Football of the Year scored minutes later. Jose Peseiro's side has struggled to break down their solid opponents.

40' What a game we have on our hands! It has come to life following a slow 30 minutes.

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38' GOAL What a response. Osimhen bags his goal after a great cross from Ademola Lookman.

36' GOAL Ivan Salvador scores the opening goal. Nigeria are stunned after failing to clear their lines. What a moment for Equatorial Guinea!

30' Nigeria struggling to create enough clear-cut chances despite their dominance. Their intensity has dropped in the last few minutes.

29' Victor Osimhen can't convert a great cross from Ola Aina.

25' Super Eagles dominating possession but can't break down a resolute Equatorial Guinea defence

21' Victor Osimhen with a glorious chance to open the scoring, but he is offside.

20' Nigeria have been on top in the first 20 minutes but are yet to make it count. Equatorial Guinea are holding their own so far.

10' How did he miss that? Zaidu Sanusi with a chance to tap into an open goal but shoots wide.

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8' Nigeria have settled into the match following a slow start. Equatorial Guinea are looking to catch the Super Eagles on the counter.

5' Owono was almost punished after a dangerous pass. Victor Osimhen's shot goes over the bar

1' Alex Iwobi with a long-range attempt, but Owono comfortably saves.

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea Kick-off

1' Nigeria gets the ball rolling

Match preview

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off on Saturday, January 13, with the hosts Ivory Cost taking on Guinea-Bissau, a game they comfortably won 2-0.

The second day is action-packed, with three matches lined up. The early kick-off sees Nigeria facing Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara. Ghana and Egypt play later in the day.

The Super Eagles are looking to make a positive start to the tournament as they look to win their fourth AFCON title. Equatorial Guinea are not minnows. They are making their fourth AFCON appearance.

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They have reached the quarter-final twice and the semi-final once.

Equatorial Guinea are looking confident. They have been quietly dismantling some of the continent's biggest teams. For instance, they ended Algeria's historic 35-game unbeaten run and went toe to toe to eventual Champions Senegal in the 2021 champions.

The teams are out.

Super Eagles fans are turning up with just over 30 minutes to go until kick-off.

Where to watch the game

All AFCON 2023 matches will air on Sports Premium, channel 252 or 246, on StarTimes as well as on StarTimes-ON app.

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea team news

Nigeria XI: Nwabali, Aina, Ekong, Ajayi, Zaidu, Onyeka, Yusuf, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon, Osimhen.

Subs: Uzoho, Musa, Aribo, Chukwueze, Osayi, Bruno, Iheanacho, OnuachuAwaziem, Bassey, Omeruo, Onyedika

Equatorial Guinea XI: Owono, Ndong, Akapo, Oubina, Orozco , Bikoro, Machin, Salvador, Buyla, Ganet, Nsue

Subs: Senra, Anieboh, Elo, Ondo, Gil, Balboa, Ela, Asue, Eneme, Mbara, Onva, Siafa.

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The starting line-ups will be out soon, so stay tuned as we bring you LIVE coverage of the encounter.