Nigeria 1st team through to round of 16 at African Cup

CAIRO (AP) — Nigeria became the first team to reach the round of 16 at the African Cup of Nations after defender Kenneth Omeruo’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 win over Guinea.

Nigeria, considered a contender for the title in Egypt, was unimpressive in the first half in Alexandria on Wednesday.

The Nigerians lifted their game in the second. Alex Iwobi’s rasping shot was swatted away by Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone and Ahmed Musa almost set up Odion Ighalo on a counterattack.

Omeruo did what the forwards had not been able to do when he beat Kone with a glancing header at the near post off Moses Simon’s corner in the 73rd minute.

Nigeria has two wins from two games in Group B, which also contains tournament debutants Madagascar and Burundi.

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