Nigeria has crashed out of this year’s CHAN in Rwanda after they lost 1-0 to Guinea in a final Group C match in Rubavu yesterday.
Tunisia also thrashed Niger 5-0 to win Group C on five points, while Guinea, also on five points, finished a runners-up.
Nigeria was third on four points and Niger finished bottom with a point.
Ibrahima Sankhon put Guinea in front just before halftime, when he exploited poor Nigeria defending to score from inside the box.
Nigeria did not have clear sight at the Guinea goal with Osas Okoro wasting possibly the Eagles best chance when he elected to shoot from inside the box when he had several other free teammates to pass to.
Guinea bossed the possession and was the more cohesive team.
Nigeria were lucky not to concede a penalty when Jamiu Alimi handled the ball right inside the box in the 25 minute.
Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was only too happy to hold a weak shot by Guinea right inside the box after 33 minutes.
Both teams had a player booked in the first half – Austin Obaroakpo for Nigeria and Leo Camara for Guinea.
In the 81st minute, goal scorer Sankhon’s stinging free kick was directed straight at goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and eight minutes later he had another chance to double his team’s tally but his final shot rolled out of touch
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