2019 AFCON: Nigeria 1-0 Burundi

Super Eagles of Nigeria fought hard on Saturday to secure a 1-0 win over Burundi in a Group B tension-soaked match at the ongoing 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
The only goal of the match in Alexandria, which gracefully gave Nigeria’s senior team the maximum three points, came at the 75th minute by a Nigerian substitute strike, Odion Ighalo.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who watched the match in Abuja, urged the Super Eagles to bring the cup to Nigeria.
Ebere Amaraizu, Director of National Nationwide League One (NLO), says the match shows that “no more underdog nation in African football’’.
He said that each national team in the present AFCON came to Egypt to make a statement, and the Burundians had made a huge statement that they came to make serious impact in the tournament.
“It is clear with the match Nigeria played against the debutants, Burundi, that there is no minus nation in African football anymore,’’ he said.
Amaraizu, who is also the General Manager of Crime Busters FC, Enugu, noted that a tough first match was, however, good for the Nigerian team.
According to him, it will ensure that the Super Eagles work harder in subsequent matches in the tournament.
He, however, congratulated Nigerians and the Super Eagles for the hard fought victory. 
Godwin Izilein, a former coach of the Golden Eaglets, said Super Eagles’ victory over Burundi would boost their confidence ahead of their next match.
Izilein said Nigerians have a lot to hope for with the way the Eagles played the match.
He, however, said the game’s lone goal was too late in coming, considering the calibre of players in the Nigerian
squad, advising that they should not give Nigerians room for concern.
“It is difficult to play against the unknown, particularly when you talk about their pedigree.
“The Burudians came in as a dark horse. Nobody knows much about them. I knew it was going to be a difficult match.
“The Eagles also did not disappoint. They played calmly for most part of the 90 minutes. Their passes were accurate, but the only snag was their finishing and touch.
“However, when Odion Ighalo entered the pitch, he perfectly utilised one of the passes. That is football, it shows maturity. Nigerians doff their hat for him (İghalo).”
However Izielen, who also once coached the Super Falcons, described Akpeyi as a disappointment, while he said Samuel Chukwueze was the shining star of the team.
He said Chukwueze would be an asset to the team by the time the players get to understand him.
“He is a fantastic player whose mates are yet to understand. When he discovered that his passes were not being utilised, he went solo,” the coach said.
On Akpeyi, İizilein said he was a ‘silly’ goalkeeper who commits silly mistakes and could not hold the ball firmly.
“A good goalkeeper should be the last to make silly mistakes because he is the last man standing. The team handlers need to do something about him or else,” he stated.
The tournament had kicked off on Friday with hosts Egypt winning the opening match by a lone goal against Zimbabwe.
The Super Eagles are in Group B with Guinea, Burundi and Madagascar.