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Nigeria begin their Africa Cup of Nations 2023 campaign with a Group A clash against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.
The Super Eagles are strongly tipped to join hosts the Ivory Coast in clinching a place in the Round of 16 knockouts as they take on their largely unfancied opponents.
However, Nigeria have endured a mixed record in the competition over recent years. Their last title was back in 2013 and they failed even to qualify in the two tournaments after that triumph.
With Victor Osimhen leading the line in Ivory Coast, will this be the year Nigeria are crowned champions of Africa once more? A convincing performance, and victory, today should give us a decent indication.
The Sporting News will be following the Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.
MORE: Where to watch Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea
Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea live score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Nigeria | 0 | |
| Eq. Guinea | 0 |
Lineups:
Nigeria lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Nwabili (GK) — Aina, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Sanusi — Iwobi, Onyeka, Yusuf, Simon — Simon, Osimhen, Lookman.
Equatorial Guinea (4-2-3-1 right to left): Owono (GK) — Akapo, Orozco Fernandez, Coco, Ndong — Bikoro, Ganet — Buyla, Pepin, Salvador — Nsue.
MORE: Nigeria’s complete Africa Cup of Nations squad
Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea live updates, highlights, and commentary
1 min: It looks like Nigeria are starting in a 4-3-3, with Iwobi as part of the midfield trio and Osimhen flanked by Lookman and Simon. With 15 seconds played, Iwobi has the first shot of the match, giving Jesus Owono a comfortable save.
Kickoff: Nigeria 0-0 Equatorial Guinea
We’re off and running!
10 mins prior to kickoff: The teams are out for the national anthems in front of a pretty sparse-looking crowd. And ‘sparse’ might be a bit kind — the stadium is almost empty.
30 mins prior to kickoff: Nigeria are certainly blessed with options at these finals but it’s perhaps a surprise to see Chukwueze only on the bench. He got two valuable goals in AC Milan’s last two UEFA Champions League group games at the end of 2023, and he would likely have relished the chance to partner Osimhen in attack.
Team news
There are starts for Nigeria star striker Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi in what is expected to be a 4-4-2 setup. Samuel Chukwueze is on the bench.
Line Up! #SoarSuperEagles #LetsDoItAgain #TotalEnergiesAfcon2023 #NGAEQG pic.twitter.com/u0WLlTjgk6
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 14, 2024
Equatorial Guinea are led by experienced wideman Emilio Nsue, who plays his club football these days for Intercity in Spain’s third tier. It’s fair to say the mood in the camp is positive.
Take notes of Equatorial Guinea’s moves! 🕺 🇬🇶#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | @NzalangNacional pic.twitter.com/w95t9s1TUM
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2024
1 hour 30 mins prior to kickoff: The Ivory Coast kicked off the tournament yesterday with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria will be expected to follow suit in Group A.
2 hours prior to kickoff: It’s been 11 years since Nigeria became the champions of Africa. Can they get their hands on the trophy again in 2024?
Napolitans trace their King, The African King @victorosimhen9 to Abidjan to give him maximum support at #Afcon2023 🙌#SoarSuperEagles #LetsDoItAgain #afcon2023 pic.twitter.com/XaQWAuWLHU
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 12, 2024
Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea lineups, team news
Nigeria have one of the strongest squads available at AFCON 2023 with an all-star attack featuring Napoli hotshot Victor Osimhen. Bayer Leverkusen’s emerging talent Victor Boniface had to withdraw from the squad at late notice with a muscle problem.
Nigeria lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Nwabili (GK) — Aina, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Sanusi — Iwobi, Onyeka, Yusuf, Simon — Simon, Osimhen, Lookman.
Nigeria subs: Uzoho, Musa, Aribo, Chukwueze, Osayi-Samuel, Onyemaechi, Iheanacho, Onuachu, Awaziem, Bassey, Omeruo, Onyedika
Equatorial Guinea are expected to battle it out for the third spot in Group A alongside Guinea-Bissau at AFCON 2023.
Equatorial Guinea (4-2-3-1 right to left): Owono (GK) — Akapo, Orozco Fernandez, Coco, Ndong — Bikoro, Ganet — Buyla, Pepin, Salvador — Nsue.
Equatorial Guinea: Senra, Anieboh, Elo, Ondo, Embel, Balboa, Ela, Nlavo, Eneme, Sapunga, Nabil, Siafa
Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this AFCON 2024 match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | beIN Sports | Fubo, beIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz |
| Canada | beIN Sports Canada |
Fubo Canada, beIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz |
| UK | Sky Sports Mix | Sky GO, Now TV |
| Australia | beIN Sports | beIN Sports |
| India | — | FanCode |
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