Nigeria Start AFCON With Narrow Win Over Burundi

Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign got off to a winning start on Saturday as they edged out Burundi 1-0.

Gernot Rohr’s side, who are 89 places above Burundi in FIFA’s world rankings, struggled for long periods in their Group B opener at the Alexandria Stadium but sealed all three points in the 77th minute.

Odion Ighalo, introduced for Paul Onuachu just four minutes earlier, latched onto Ola Aina’s wonderful back-heeled pass and coolly whipped the ball past Jonathan Nahimana.

Nigeria will hope to put in a vastly improved performance against Guinea on Wednesday, while Burundi face Madagascar a day later.