Nigeria vs. Equatorial Guinea: Key facts ahead of AFCON 2023 clash

As Nigeria prepares to face Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group A match at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, here are some compelling facts and figures about the two teams:

1. First Encounter at AFCON: This marks the first meeting between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. They clashed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with Nigeria emerging victorious in both matches (1-0; 2-0).
2. Nigeria’s AFCON History: Nigeria boasts a rich AFCON history, making their 20th appearance. They have secured the title three times (1980, 1994, 2013) and reached the semi-finals in 14 of their last 17 participations.
3. 1984 Final Defeat: Nigeria reached the final during the last AFCON held in Côte d’Ivoire in 1984 but suffered a 3-1 defeat against Cameroon.
4. Impressive AFCON Record: Nigeria has won 12 of their last 15 AFCON matches, with their last draw dating back to the 2013 group stages against Zambia (1-1).
5. Goal-Scoring Prowess: During the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign, Nigeria scored 22 goals in six games, the highest among the 24 participating teams. Victor Osimhen contributed significantly with 10 goals and 2 assists.
6. Equatorial Guinea’s AFCON Appearances: This is Equatorial Guinea’s fourth AFCON appearance, qualifying as non-hosts for the second time. They reached the quarter-finals in 2012 and 2021 and secured 4th place in 2015.
7. Goal-Scoring History: Equatorial Guinea has never scored more than two goals in their 15 previous AFCON matches, and only two of their 11 goals have been scored in the first half.
8. Victor Osimhen’s Impact: Victor Osimhen played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s qualifying campaign, being directly involved in 55% of the team’s goals (10 goals, 2 assists). His goal tally is the highest in the qualifying phase since Moumouni Dagano in 2010.
9. Diverse Goal Scorers: Despite Osimhen’s contributions, Nigeria had 10 different goal scorers in the 2023 AFCON qualifying, showcasing the team’s attacking depth.

The Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea clash will kickoff by 3pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the Alassana Oauttara Stadium in Abidjan.