- Nigeria lost 1-0 to Guinea-Bissau at home
- Defender Akpoguma suffered a head injury
- Coach Peseiro gives an update on the injury
WHAT HAPPENED? The Super Eagles suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Guinea-Bissau in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday. Akpoguma was taken off 10 minutes into the second half after sustaining an injury to his head. Semi Ajayi then replaced the 1899 Hoffenheim centre-back.
After Akpoguma failed to finish the match, there were worries his injury might be much more serious than initially thought, and the coach has now given an update.
WHAT PESEIRO SAID: “I spoke with the doctor and he has concerns,” said Peseiro as per Brila FM. “The big concern is that the doctor was more worried because he [Akpoguma] felt pains in the head.”
WHAT’S MORE? Having already registered his displeasure on the way Egyptian referee Mahmoud El Banna handled the match, Peseiro has further stated why they feel the whistle man gave them a raw deal.
“The situation should have been a red card, but the opponent just got a yellow,” Peseiro added. “Also, normally, we should have gotten 10 minutes for the injury and other stoppages.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: It was a match their top striker Victor Osimhen disappointed despite playing the entire 90 minutes.
Friday's defeat might have served as a rude awakening for Nigeria that Group A is not a breeze as it appears on paper. Peseiro's side was fresh from the sensational 10-0 win over Sao Tome Principe but they were met by a resilient Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles are now second in their group and as they head to log leaders Guinea-Bissau who have a point more than them, they face the prospect of not having their central defender Akpoguma available.
If he fails to recover for Monday's match, Semi Ajayi might be called to replace him. Akpoguma has been slowly trying to establish himself as a reliable defender for Nigeria.
WHAT NEXT FOR NIGERIA? The Super Eagles now prepare to visit Guinea-Bissau for the return fixture on Monday.
They would be keen for three points and recover from Friday's home disappointment.