AFCON 2021: Nigeria Cruise Into Knockout Stage After Convincing Win Against Sudan

AFCON 2021: Nigeria Cruise Into Knockout Stage After Convincing Win Against Sudan

Nomso Obiajuru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
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  • Nigeria showed again why they are one of the favourite teams to win AFCON 2021 after a convincing 3-1 win against Sudan
  • Goals from Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Moses Simon secured the win for the Super Eagles as they booked a place in the last 16
  • Walieldin Khidir got the consolation goal for Sudan from the spot after Ola Aina gave away a penalty

Nigeria secured a place in AFCON 2021 round of 16 after a convincing 3-1 win against Sudan on Saturday, January 15.

Samuel Chukwueze scored the fastest goal at the tournament with just three minutes on the clock as he latched on to a Moses Simon cut back to tuck home from close range.

AFCON 2021: Nigeria Cruise Into Knockout Stage After Convincing Win Against Sudan
Nigeria Cruise Into AFCON 2021 Knockout Stage After Convincing Win Against Sudan. Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)
Source: Getty Images

Nigeria came close on two occasions to double their lead just after the hour mark as Troost Ekong forced a save from the goalkeeper from a setpiece while Joe Aribo's effort was cleared off the line with the follow-up from Awoniyi hitting the woodwork.

Awoniyi would however go on to get his maiden goal for the Super Eagles in the 45th minute converting a setpiece as the ball hit him on his head and went in. The first half ended 2-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.

Right at the start of the second half, Moses Simon made it 3-0 with a brilliant solo effort but Sudan were given a lifeline after Ola Aina gave away a penalty in the 69th minute which was converted by Walieldin Khidir.

However, it was job done for the Super Eagles as they held on to secure their second win of the tournament.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen named an unchanged starting XI from the game against Egypt but will now look to rest some players when Nigeria face Guinea Bissau in their last group game.

Gyan fancies Super Eagles to win AFCON in Cameroon

Earlier, Sportsbrief reported that Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan has tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria one of the favourites to win the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

It's a week now since African nations converged in Cameroon for the 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations in which Algeria are the reigning champions.

Asamoah Gyan rated the Super Eagles for the African Cup of Nations title because of their win over Egypt in their first game at the ongoing tournament.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the goal that condemned Egypt to a defeat in a match that the Nigerian defense kept Mohamed Salah out of the encounter.

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Nomso Obiajuru
Team Lead- Football
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