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Eagles’ hope of qualification hangs after drawing against Guinea

By Samuel Ifetoye, with agency reports
17 September 2017   |   4:17 am
CHAN Eagles yesterday failed to beat their Guinean counterpart in a Group A match of the on-going WAFU Cup of Nations played at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana.

Home-based Eagles. PHOTO: Football Naija

CHAN Eagles yesterday failed to beat their Guinean counterpart in a Group A match of the on-going WAFU Cup of Nations played at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana.

The Eagles had the opportunity of opening scoring in the second minute of the encounter through Olamilekan Adeleye Aniyikaye, who got a long throw-in, but the Guinean keeper saved his 10 yards header.

The Eagles lost another scoring chance in the 10th minute through Abanum Ashadi, whose shot sailed just over the Guinean goal.

Guinea had their first attack through Seydouba Camara, who went behind the Nigerian defence in the 19th minute and had just the keeper to beat, but pushed his effort inches wide from six-yards out.

Nigeria bossed the game after that and were close to opening the scoring in the 38th minute when Anthony Okpotu met a cross from the left, but his 12-yard header shaved the wrong side of the post.

On the stroke of half time, Kingsley Eduwo broke behind the Guinean defence, but failed to beat the keeper despite having all the time in the world as the half ended 0-0.

In the first minute into the second half, Kingsley Eduwo should have opened scoring when he met a right wing cross, but he headed wide from two-yards out when it looked harder to miss than score.

The next decent chance in the half came in the 64th minute when Rabiu Ali attempted to chip the keeper from the halfway line, but his effort sailed just wide with the keeper in no man’s land.

In the 76th minute, Mohamed N’Diaye wasted a glorious chance to give Guinea the lead when he fired over the crossbar under no pressure from only 14-yards out.

The result leaves Nigeria with two points after drawing with Mali in its first game. With Guinea earning its first point, it means the Eagles will have to beat the host, Ghana, to stand a chance of qualifying for the next round of the competition.

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