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The Super Eagles return to Africa Cup of Nations action today looking to join hosts Cameroon in the last 16 with a game to spare.
Nigeria made the best possible start to the latest edition of AFCON, with Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half goal deservedly seeing off Mohamed Salah and seven-time champions Egypt in a heavyweight Group D clash in Garoua.
It was a statement victory from Augustine Eguavoen’s side, who will seal their spot in the knockout stages with another triumph at the Stade Roumde Adjia on Saturday afternoon.
Nigeria – whose last AFCON title came in 2013 – will be heavy favourites to beat 1970 champions Sudan, who are appearing at the tournament for the first time in a decade.
The Falcons of Jediane held Guinea-Bissau to a goalless draw in their opener in midweek, with goalkeeper Ali Abu Eshrein keeping out Pele’s 82nd-minute penalty.
Follow Nigeria vs Sudan LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below!
Live updates
32 mins: Some nifty interplay there between Omer and Mohamed Al Rashed Mahamoud Shambaly.
They combine for a tidy one-two inside the Nigeria box, only for Omer to be blocked off and the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
30 mins: Musab Ahmed Alshareif Eisa is down here for Sudan and will require some treatment after a tussle in midfield.
No real tempo or intensity to this contest at the moment after such a fast start from the Super Eagles.
28 mins: More Nigeria pressure and another corner from the right, which Sudan goalkeeper Abou Achrine flies towards but gets nothing at all on it.
He’s lucky to have gotten away with that!
Chukwueze celebrates opening the scoring
25 mins: Chance for Nigeria!
Iheanacho slides in Awoniyi down that right channel, with the ex-Liverpool forward’s shot then deflected behind for a corner that is easily dealt with by Sudan.
21 mins: Nothing doing in attack for Sudan just at the moment.
A deep left-wing cross sails past its intended target at the back post.
18 mins: Plenty of attacking intent from Nigeria in the last few minutes, but just lacking in the final ball as they look to put this Sudan defence under severe pressure.
Sudan do look shaky at the back, with panicked clearances – like that one from another long Aina throw.
15 mins: That’s a lovely jinking run from Moses Simon, but he’s got limited options and decides to go back and reset as Nigeria keep hold of possession.
His next run is also thwarted as the ball trickles out of play on the far side.
12 mins: Action at both ends, but no further chances with Troost-Ekong standing firm as Sudan earn a corner.
More work for Okoye there after a hopeful effort from Mohamed Al Rashed, but he’s comfortable with the save as Nigeria look to quickly pour forward on the counter.
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