Three-time African champions Nigeria defeated hosts Guinea-Bissau 1-0 on Monday evening to restore their leadership at the summit of the Group A table in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, Abbeylivenetwork.com reports.
The Eagles had a very poor reverse fixture on Friday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja as the Djurtus also won by same result.
The hosts threatened to score in the 6th minute when dangerman, Mama Balde struck the ball from the edge of the box but the Eagles were let off on that occasion.
The trio of Terem Moffi, Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen had their chances to put the Eagles ahead but none were able to find target.
Skipper on the day, Kenneth Omeruo saw his header in the first half cleared for a corner kick.
However the team got the goal they craved for when right back Bright Osayi-Samuel was brought down inside the box.
Nantes forward, Moses Simon stepped up and converted the spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way in the 30th minute.
Guinea-Bissau had the chance to restore parity after a promising combine play but the chance was wasted much to the relief of Jose Peseiro and his team.
Zaidu Sanusi found his way inside the box but Samuel Chukwueze did not react quickest to the ball and it was cleared.
It was a slow start to the second half in Bissau as Nigeria looked for the second goal to kill off the game.
Just before the hour mark, Osimhen was unlucky to see his low shot come off the foot of the post after a promising interplay between Alex Iwobi and Terem Moffi who found the Napoli man.
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro made a substitution in 62nd minute of the second half as he brought off Terem Moffi for Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo.
There was a moment of panic for the Super Eagles as goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was beaten by a smart ball but luckily the ball rolled out for goal kick.
The Napoli striker continued to be a menace to the Bissau-Guineans backline and had another shot go wide when he had only the keeper to beat.
Aribo looked lively when he came on for Terem Moffi, and his interplay with Simon caused the home side numerous problems, but none of the chances created was converted.
Narrow as it was, the win was sufficient enough to get the Super Eagles back to the top of Group A with nine points from four games.
The three-time African champions have two points more than Guinea-Bissau and four more than Sierra Leone, who defeated Sao Tome and Principe 2-0 in the other group match.
Nigeria still have to play Sierra Leone away, and Sao Tome and Principe at home, with the Eagles set to book their spot at the next edition of the AFCON if they avoid defeat in both games.
