Augustine Eguavoen has equalled his personal record in terms of number of wins recorded in group stage matches at the Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria secured a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday evening.
The Super Eagles' third successive triumphs in Group D means the tactician has now won three consecutive games in the African biggest showpiece for the second time in charge of the team in his career.
The 56-year-old was named for the first time as the caretaker coach in June 2005, leading the West Africans to the 2006 Afcon in Egypt where they won bronze and in the process, recorded victories in all three group stage games.
On the day, the Super Eagles, who were cruising from a 1-0 and 3-1 victories over Egypt and Sudan, were forced to a barren draw in the first half of the final group stage encounter in Garoua, Cameroon.
Nigeria's best of several created chances came when Sadiq Umar missed a tap in the 24th minute - that was just nine minutes after Semi Ajayi also missed a goal by nodding above the goalpost in the wasteful first half.
After the restart, Sadiq Umar broke the deadlock of the contest when he gave the Nigerians the lead in the 56th minute thanks to an assist from Kelechi Iheanacho. Moments later, Moses Simon’s shot hit the bar after he dribbled three opponents before Ekong scored from the rebound in the 75th minute.
📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇬🇼 0-2 🇳🇬#TeamNigeria make it 3️⃣ wins out of 3️⃣ with an impressive display against Guinea-Bissau ✅
Here’s the recap of #GNBNGA 👇#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/3M00VBy5LX
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 20, 2022
With the victory in Garoua, Nigeria condemned Guinea-Bissau to five defeats in last their nine Afcon games and also emerged the only team that reached the last 16 round winning all group matches in the ongoing competition.
Having progressed to the next round, Eguavoen will now face one of the best third-placed teams from either Group B, E and F in the last 16 on Sunday, as maintain their perfect start in the pursuit of a fourth African title.
