Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
Nigeria displayed a gutsy performance to record a 1-0 win over Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.
Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili was in goal again for the Super Eagles, who went with a front-trio of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
There were very few clear chances just after kick-off as neither side looked to open up but opted to play safe and wait for any opening of some sort to come up.
Nigeria did waste a golden chance on the stroke of halftime through Chukwueze from a turnover high-up the pitch by Lookman, as he slammed blazingly over the top.
The Super Eagles didn't despair and got the breakthrough when William Troost-Ekong thumped in from the penalty spot as Osimhen had drawn a foul in the penalty area.
With the tie heavily poised, the Elephants attempted to get back on level terms to try and salvage something but battled immensely to find any joy where it mattered most and ultimately suffered defeat.
Equatorial Guinea 4-2 Guinea-Bissau
Emilio Nsue's five-star performance helped the Equatorial Guinea record a 4-2 victory over Guinea-Bissau, who exited the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following a succession of losses.
After a man-of-the-match performance against Nigeria, goalkeeper Jesus Owono retained his spot in goal with star man Emilio Nsue up front, while Mama Balde set out on the part of Guinea-Bissau.
Nzalang Nacional were in the lead all through a nicely taken finish from close-range by Emilio Nsue following a long ball over the top of the defence.
An-own goal a little by Esteban Orzoco Fernandez clawed the counterparts back on equal terms, but a route-one just as the second half commenced saw Josete Miranda punce to restore Nzalang's lead.
There were more that were to follow in the space of a couple of minutes as Nsue bagged a brace with a neatly taken finish from point-blank range.
Nsue went on to grab a hat-trick when he beat the offside to meet a well-placed through pass from Pepin to finish comfortably, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) needed to award the strike.
Guinea-Bissau got a second goal on the board albeit in the last minute to full-time, with Ze Turbo moving right of the box to finish from a tight angle.
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