AFCON 2023 upset: Nigeria's 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea - Osimhen's crucial miss and Salvador's surprise lead
Star striker Victor Osimhen levelled for Nigeria, but missed a great opportunity late on, after Ivan Salvador had given the underdogs a shock lead.
Football
Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Group A opener on Sunday (14 January).
Equatorial Guinea lived up to their reputation as tournament dark horses having produced numerous upsets on their way to the quarter-finals two years ago.
The underdogs took the lead in the 36th minute when Ivan Salvador found the net with a first-time left-foot shot after being teed up by Jose Machin.
But the Super Eagles responded almost straight from the restart as African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen nodded home Ademola Lookman's cross.
Osimhen had a golden opportunity to put Nigeria in front with 15 minutes to go when he was sent through one-on-one with Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono, but the Napoli striker was left holding his head after dragging his shot wide.
On Thursday, Nigeria face hosts Côte d'Ivoire who opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.
Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau meet earlier that day, also in Abidjan's Alassan Ouattara Stadium.