The Super Eagles of Nigeria lost 2-0 in a friendly game on Monday against Guinea in preparation for the 2023 African Cup of Nations scheduled to start on the 13th of January in Cote d’Ivoire.
The friendly match was played at the Bani Yas Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The official X page of the Super Eagles, which gave timely updates on the match, noted that Guinea scored the first goal in the 14th minute of the game.
“14’ Nigeria concedes! NGA 0-1 GUI,” they wrote.
Furthermore, a penalty was awarded to Nigeria in the 19th minute. “19’ Penalty awarded to Nigeria as Umar is hacked down.”
“20’ Penalty Missed! Guinean goalie denies Simon a goal from the penalty spot,” the live update noted.
Eagles struggled to equalise as the first half ended 1-0, in favour of Guinea.
“64’ Nigeria concedes a second goal,” the update added.
The game ended 2-0 as Nigeria lost to Guinea in their first pre-AFCON friendly against Guinea.
Nigeria striker Victor Boniface missed the Super Eagles’ friendly game against Guinea on Monday due to a muscular injury.
It is gathered that Boniface picked up the injury in training in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the Super Eagles intensify preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker also missed the test game between the Eagles local Abu Dhabi-based club Al Gharib due to the injury.
This will be a worrying development as Boniface is one of the forwards the coaching will be banking on to get the goals.
Reacting to reports of Boniface’s injury, former Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh said it will be a big blow to the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2923.
“I have watched Boniface closely all season, and he is simply an extraordinary player! Him missing AFCON will be a bad blow for Us,” Oliseh wrote on X.
“We need to have him fit at all cost as he is in my opinion, Definitely one of Naija’s best hopes!!“
Wilfred Ndidi is already out of the tournament because of injury and has since been replaced by Alhassan Yusuf.
Ndidi’s Leicester teammate Kelechi Iheanacho is yet to arrive camp as there are question marks concerning his fitness.
The Eagles are in Group A with Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
The three-time AFCON winners will begin their quest for a fourth title on Sunday, 14 January against Equatorial Guinea.
On 18 January, they will face Côte d’Ivoire and end the group phase with a game against Guinea-Bissau on 22 January.
Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau and Morocco are the early arrivals for this year’s tournament.
Both Guinea-Bissau and Morocco arrived Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday, 7 January.
