Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea LIVE!

The Super Eagles were left to rue their profligacy in front of goal during a frustrating start to the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Nigeria were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw to kick off their Group A campaign in Abidjan, failing to match the exploits of Ivory Coast - who beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 to open the tournament on Saturday night - ahead of their crunch clash with the hosts on Thursday evening.

Despite a dominant start at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, injury-hit Nigeria fell behind in shock fashion against the run of play when Iban Salvador Edu fired neatly into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Giant-killers Equatorial Guinea weren't in front for long, however, with Nigeria's attacking talisman Victor Osimhen steering in a header from point-blank range following a deflected Ademola Lookman cross.

Moses Simon hit the woodwork for Nigeria before the interval and the Super Eagles piled on more pressure in the second period, but could not find that elusive winning goal. Follow Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea reaction from AFCON live below!

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea highlights

• GOAL! Osimhen heads home swift equaliser

• GOAL! Salvador fires Equatorial Guinea into shock lead

Osimhen wasteful as Nigeria held to frustrating draw

16:22 , George Flood

Wasteful Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea as their latest Africa Cup of Nations campaign got off to a frustrating start in Abidjan on Sunday.

The injury-hit Super Eagles needed a close-range header from star striker Victor Osimhen before half-time to secure a share of the spoils in the second game in Group A, the Napoli marksman answering back within two minutes of a shock Equatorial Guinea opener netted coolly into the bottom corner by Polish-based forward Iban Salvador Edu.

Instead it rather compounded another disappointing AFCON afternoon for Nigeria, who won the last of their three continental titles a decade ago and were dumped out of the tournament in the round of 16 in Cameroon in 2021.

They will have to improve sharply for Thursday night's high-profile showdown with Ivory Coast, with the hosts having opened proceedings with a comfortable win over Guinea-Bissau on Saturday.

Read the match report in full here

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

16:01 , George Flood

Full-time

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:59 , George Flood

96 mins: It's absolute chaos inside that Equatorial Guinea box now as Nigeria throw everything at getting a last-gasp winner, with efforts and challenges flying in everywhere.

The ball eventually heads out for a corner, but I'm not sure there will be chance to take it...

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:56 , George Flood

95 mins: Equatorial Guinea are looking to finish with a flourish as they force a corner deep into second-half stoppage time.

A return delivery is looped up into the air and it's solid goalkeeping from Nwabali to deny and win a free-kick off Nsue.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:55 , George Flood

93 mins: Chukwueze can't release Osimhen in added time and another golden Nigeria chance is wasted.

Goalscorer Salvador off for Equatorial Guinea, Luis Nlavo on.

Nigeria have replaced Iwobi with the towering Paul Onuachu.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:53 , George Flood

90 mins: Into SIX minutes of added time at the end of this game.

Can Equatorial Guinea hold on?

Chukwueze releases Lookman, who is denied by a combination of Carlos Akapo and some more brave goalkeeping by Owono.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:49 , George Flood

86 mins: Jose Machin off, Santiago Eneme on is Equatorial Guinea's latest change.

They are doing a very effective job of killing the clock here.

Time is very rapidly running out for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:46 , George Flood

84 mins: Chukwueze and Salvador square up to each other after a meaty challenge as tempers flare.

Balboa into the book for Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:45 , George Flood

82 mins: Nigeria have a chance to swing in a free-kick from out wide, but they can't make it count.

Full-backs Aina and Zaidu are coming off now.

Fulham's Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel on for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:42 , George Flood

79 mins: Nsue well off target on the counter before Equatorial Guinea understandably attempt to bleed as much time off the clock as possible.

They aren't in much of a rush to do anything. A point will suit them just fine with Guinea-Bissau to come in their next Group A game on Thursday.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:38 , George Flood

76 mins: A huge miss from Osimhen as we enter the final 15 minutes in Abidjan!

He's sent through again and this time he's onside as he horribly pulls a right-footed shot well wide of the near post.

You would bank on the recently-crowned African Footballer of the Year to score those 99 times out of a hundred. How costly could that be?

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:37 , George Flood

74 mins: A double change from Equatorial Guinea now.

Huesca midfielder Alex Balboa and teenage striker Jose Nabil - their only home-based player - are both on.

Ganet and Buyla make way.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:32 , George Flood

70 mins: Time for another mandated water break in the heat and humidity of the Ivorian capital Abidjan, where the sun has been back out for the last few minutes.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:31 , George Flood

68 mins: Yusuf is down again and won't be able to continue as the stretcher comes out once more. A sad way for his Nigeria debut to end.

Nigeria are sending on Southampton's Joe Aribo.

Samuel Chukwueze is also on for Moses Simon.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:28 , George Flood

65 mins: Lovely play from Aina to skip past the challenge of Ndong before forcing Owono into another smart save.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:28 , George Flood

62 mins: A frustrating afternoon so far for the Super Eagles is getting worse with Yusuf down and in some pain.

He ends up being carried off on a stretcher, but he looks to be up on his feet over on the sidelines already.

I think Nigeria left-back Zaidu Sanusi has just been cautioned for dissent, joining Equatorial Guinea's Federico Bikoro in the book.

Jose Peseiro appears to be preparing a number of changes inside the final half an hour.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:19 , George Flood

57 mins: The Equatorial Guinea penalty area is now under siege with balls flying in, Owono making an initial punch before Nigeria fail to steer a header on target.

Nzalang Nacional eventually scramble clear.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:17 , George Flood

56 mins: Lovely touch from Osimhen, who is through but denied bravely by the impressive Owono.

Nigeria are really piling the pressure on once again as we tick towards the hour mark.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:16 , George Flood

54 mins: So disappointing from Nigeria as Lookman, Iwobi and Zaidu all charge forward, with the latter passing meekly into the feet of Owono.

Lookman then wildly lashes the rebound high and wide.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:14 , George Flood

52 mins: Yusuf has been busy on his debut for the Super Eagles, with a cross intended for Osimhen now deflected into the hands of Owono.

Equatorial Guinea then force a corner that is headed away by Ekong.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:12 , George Flood

50 mins: Pablo Ganet lashes over as Equatorial Guinea attempt to regain their lead.

At the other end, Carlos Akapo does well to thwart the danger posed by fellow No15 Moses Simon.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:11 , George Flood

48 mins: Almost a golden chance straight away for Nigeria, but Osimhen and Lookman rather look to get in each other's way there.

Some rough treatment on Yusuf leads to a stern warning for Ndong.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:07 , George Flood

Back underway in Abidjan.

No changes from either manager at the break.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:02 , George Flood

And the swift equaliser from Mr Osimhen...

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

15:01 , George Flood

Here's that shock opening goal for Equatorial Guinea.

Some celebrations!

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

14:53 , George Flood

Half-time

All square at the interval in Abidjan after two quick-fire goals in as many minutes - Victor Osimhen's close-range header cancelling out that shock Equatorial Guinea opener by Iban Salvador.

Moses Simon struck the woodwork on the stroke of half-time for Nigeria, who have been much the better team and created far more chances and will be frustrated to be level at the break.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

14:50 , George Flood

48 mins: Almost a second goal for Nigeria before the break!

It's an incisive attacking move involving the likes of Iwobi, Lookman and Osimhen, with Moses Simon's low drive touched onto the outside of the post by Owono.

The Super Eagles have a corner, but it comes to nothing.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

14:48 , George Flood

45 mins: Osimhen clatters into Esteban and picks up a knock, but he seems fine to continue.

Four minutes of added time have been signalled at the end of this first half.

Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea

14:46 , George Flood

43 mins: The contest has rather settled back into a slower pace since those two quick-fire goals.

No more chances to speak of just yet with half-time quickly approaching.

GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea | Victor Osimhen 37'

14:40 , George Flood

37 mins: WOW! Nigeria hit back in very swift fashion!

Lookman's deflected cross loops into the air and is headed down and in from point-blank range by Osimhen, who was clearly onside.

All square again in the blink of an eye!

An otherwise quiet game has real lift off now.

GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 Equatorial Guinea | Iban Salvador 36'

14:39 , George Flood

36 mins: How about that! Equatorial Guinea have a shock lead!

Nigeria can't clear their lines on the edge of the box and it's lovely feet from Jose Machin to fool the defender and pick out Salvador, who sends the goalkeeper the wrong way with a crisp strike.

Nigeria stunned. The giant-killers are at it again!

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:37 , George Flood

32 mins: Danger for Equatorial Guinea as Moses Simon shows his trickery out wide, but it's solid defending to thwart his attempted delivery from the right.

Lookman then fires in a very dangerous low ball that is deflected into the air before being dealt with by Alaves goalkeeper Owono.

A little burst of intention from Nigeria there with their performance having otherwise gone quite flat.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:33 , George Flood

29 mins: Ola Aina's lofted cross picks out Osimhen, who has to try and generate all the power on the header and sends it wide of the back post. He felt he was fouled in the box there.

Yusuf then falls painfully after a not-so-subtle shove in the back. He quickly returns to his feet.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:29 , George Flood

27 mins: The first yellow card of the afternoon goes to Equatorial Guinea midfielder Bikoro for scything down Ademola Lookman.

That's followed by a drinks break amid the searing heat and humidity in Abidjan.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:28 , George Flood

25 mins: Equatorial Guinea are getting a foothold in this game now as Jose Machin drills wide from the edge of the box following the corner, with Federico Bikoro allowing the ball to travel under his leg rather than trying to divert it goalwards.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:26 , George Flood

24 mins: Terrific play from the veteran Equatorial Guinea captain Nsue to race onto a hopeful long punt into the right channel and get the better of Ajayi by the touchline before battling to earn his team a corner.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:24 , George Flood

22 mins: Osimhen is sent clean through by a simple low pass for Nigeria, charging into the box before his low shot is tipped just wide of the far post by the fingertips of Owono.

Once again though the offside flag is raised against the Napoli marksman, who made his move just a fraction too early.

It wouldn't have counted anyway.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:22 , George Flood

19 mins: Some rather panicked defending from Equatorial Guinea at one end before Nigeria swarm back in numbers to snuff out a counter-attack.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:21 , George Flood

16 mins: A long ball forward to Nsue catches out the Nigeria defence.

He brushes off Ajayi and looks to be brought down by Zaidu, appealing for a penalty.

However, the flag is up for offside and that looked like either a touch off the hand or a possible foul on Ajayi anyway.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:17 , George Flood

14 mins: A free-kick from the left causes issues in the Equatorial Guinea defence and a knock down is cleared only as far as debutant Yusuf, who comfortably clears the crossbar with a rushed effort from the edge of the box.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:14 , George Flood

11 mins: That's a real chance for Nigeria!

Owono cannot divert a dangerous low cross from the right away from his six-yard box and left-back Zaidu Sanusi side-foots wide at the back post.

That could easily have been 1-0. A Nigeria goal feels like just a matter of time.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:13 , George Flood

9 mins: Basilio Ndong is down for Equatorial Guinea clutching his shoulder after being shielded away from the ball and out of play gruffly by Troost-Ekong.

He's patched up and carries on.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:09 , George Flood

7 mins: Nigeria are cranking up the pressure in the early stages as a pinpoint cross from the right is headed on target by Osimhen, with Owono making a smart low save.

The offside flag is raised. Equatorial Guinea really under the cosh already and have no out ball at all at the moment.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:07 , George Flood

5 mins: That's a real let-off for Equatorial Guinea as goalkeeper Owono's rogue pass is picked off by Iwobi, who tees up Osimhen for a strike from outside the box that sails well over.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:05 , George Flood

3 mins: Iwobi is looking like the biggest threat for Nigeria early on, trying to hang up a cross for Osimhen that is well claimed by Owono.

Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea

14:04 , George Flood

1 min: An immediate effort from outside the box by Fulham's Alex Iwobi is dealt with easily enough by Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono.

At the other end, there is an early touch for Nigeria stopper Stanley Nwabali on his competitive international debut.

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea

14:02 , George Flood

Here we go!

South Africa's Abongile Tom is today's referee.

Nigeria in their familiar green colours, with Equatorial Guinea in white.

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea

13:57 , George Flood

The teams are out and the national anthems are underway at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe!

A sparse crowd inside the ground for this one it must be said, but Nigeria are well represented as usual.

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea

13:52 , George Flood

Less than 10 minutes to go until kick-off in this afternoon's second AFCON clash in Abidjan.

We've already seen Ivory Coast shake off any pre-tournament nerves and take care of business on opening night, can Nigeria now follow suit ahead of their huge showdown with the hosts on Thursday?

It's almost time to find out!

Controversial calls from Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro

13:42 , George Flood

A couple of those selection decisions don't appear to have gone down that well with Nigeria fans on social media, many of whom are very surprised that Bassey and Chukwueze are only named as substitutes.

Jose Peseiro will be desperately hoping that those big calls don't back-fire against a well-drilled Equatorial Guinea side that know how to cause an AFCON upset, beating defending champions Algeria and Mali en route to the quarter-finals in Cameroon two years ago.

Emilio Nsue leads Equatorial Guinea side

13:25 , George Flood

I don't think there are any notable shocks in that Equatorial Guinea team named by head coach Juan Micha.

As expected, former Middlesbrough and Birmingham frontman Emilio Nsue leads the line having been named as captain before the start of the tournament.

Nsue, 34, now plies his club trade in the Spanish lower leagues with CF Intercity.

Sampdoria teenager Hugo Buyla also starts, though their only British-based call-up - young Huddersfield winger Charles Ondo - is only on the bench.

Chukwueze and Bassey on Nigeria bench

13:14 , George Flood

A few surprises in that Nigeria team then, not least AC Milan attacker Samuel Chukwueze starting on the bench alongside Fulham defender Calvin Bassey.

It seems that Super Eagles boss Jose Peseiro has preferred former Watford star William Troost-Ekong alongside West Brom's Semi Ajayi at the back, with Moses Simon of Nantes getting the nod over Chukwueze in support of Victor Osimhen.

Royal Antwerp's Alhassan Yusuf - only drafted into the squad last week as a late replacement for the injured Wilfred Ndidi - makes his first Nigeria start in midfield, while it's a first competitive start in goal for Stanley Nwabali - who plays his club football in Nigeria with Chippa United.

Nwabali is preferred to the Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho between the posts.

Starting lineups in full

13:09 , George Flood

Nigeria XI: Nwabali, Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Zaidu, Yusuf, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon, Osimhen

Equatorial Guinea XI: Owono, Orozco, Ndong, Akapo, Coco, Bikoro, Buyla, Ganet, Machin, Salvador, Nsue

13:04 , George Flood

Here is confirmation of that Super Eagles team from Abidjan...

Nigeria lineup

12:44 , George Flood

Looks like the Nigeria team is out...

Injury-hit Nigeria in poor form before latest AFCON bid

12:33 , George Flood

It's fair to say that Nigeria do not arrive at AFCON in the best of form.

The Super Eagles were bested by Guinea in their warm-up friendly in Abu Dhabi on Monday, which came on the back of frustrating World Cup qualifying draws against Zimbabwe and Lesotho in which they were without Osimhen.

There is a lot of pressure going into this tournament on Portuguese boss Jose Peseiro, who finally replaced interim coach Augustine Eguavoen last year after a short-lived stint in charge of the Venezuelan national team.

Peseiro signed a new contract on drastically reduced terms with the NFF earlier this year, though surely needs a strong performance at this tournament to boost his standing.

Nigeria call-up Terem Moffi starts in Nice loss

12:22 , George Flood

Terem Moffi was a late call-up to the Nigeria squad to replace Bayern Leverkusen star Victor Boniface, but he seems unlikely to be involved this afternoon.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) agreed to allow the 24-year-old striker to remain at French club Nice, for whom he started and played 77 minutes on Saturday night in their 2-0 Ligue 1 defeat at Rennes before heading out to Abidjan.

Victor Osimhen aiming to 'write own legacy' with AFCON glory

12:08 , George Flood

Nigeria's raft of injuries up front - worsened by Sadiq Umar's knee issue suffered in the disappointing 2-0 friendly defeat by Guinea in Abu Dhabi on Monday - only serve to heap more pressure on attacking talisman Victor Osimhen, who has 20 goals in just 27 caps for his country since 2017.

However, the 25-year-old seems completely unfazed as he focuses on writing his own legacy this month, helping to bring the glory days back to Nigeria after a 10-year wait for more AFCON success and missing the last World Cup.

Osimhen's goals were instrumental in Napoli ending their 33-year run without a Serie A title last term and a blockbuster transfer likely awaits in the summer.

“We want to win every match, every trophy available, to make Nigerians proud of us again," Osimhen told told Al Jazeera this week.

“I want to win the AFCON with my country and write my own legacy. All the greats in Nigeria have a title to their name and to be mentioned in that space I must win it, too.”

Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea prediction

11:52 , George Flood

The Super Eagles may not always make things easy for themselves but can make a statement here to follow the Ivory Coast's win last night.

Nigeria to win, 3-0.

Equatorial Guinea team news

11:50 , George Flood

There are no real household names in this Equatorial Guinea squad, but captain Emilio Nsue will be familiar to English football fans after his previous spells with Middlesbrough and Birmingham.

Boss Juan Micha is a highly-rated coach who will have his side hard to beat and once again eyeing upsets in a tough group.

Nigeria team news

11:45 , George Flood

Once again Nigeria's best-laid AFCON preparations have been disrupted by multiple injury setbacks, as was the case in Cameroon in 2021.

The Super Eagles are without in-form Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface due to a groin injury that required surgery and is expected to keep him out for several months.

Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is also missing the tournament through injury, along with Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi and now Real Sociedad striker Umar Sadiq, who was ruled out with a knee problem this week.

Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf and Paul Onuachu have all been drafted in as late replacements, with the latter only arriving in recent days.

Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho has also been considered a doubt after injury and his participation remains unclear.

Where to watch Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea

11:38 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, today's game will be televised live on Sky Sports Mix and the Sky Sports Red Button, with coverage beginning at 1:55pm GMT.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the match live online via the Sky Go app.

Welcome to Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea live coverage

11:37 , George Flood

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's latest live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigeria beginning their campaign in Abidjan this afternoon.

The injury-hit Super Eagles will hope to get off to a winning start against Equatorial Guinea, who are playing at AFCON for only the fourth time in their history this year but have one fourth-place finish and two other quarter-final appearances already under their belts.

Though always among the traditional powerhouses of African football, three-time winners Nigeria have gone a decade without success in this competition now and were ousted in the last 16 in tame fashion in Cameroon two years ago.

With a key clash against hosts Ivory Coast - who opened with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau last night - to come on Thursday evening, Jose Peseiro's side can ill afford any slip-ups in Group A.

Kick-off at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium - better known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe - is at 2pm GMT, so stay tuned for live updates plus all the latest team news from both camps.