Sunday Oliseh, the former Juventus midfielder, has refrained from commenting on Nigeria’s thrilling draw with Guinea-Bissau in the recent Group A match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
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However, Oliseh has expressed his admiration for Cape Verde’s exciting 2-2 draw with former champions Egypt in the crucial Group B decider.
The match between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau featured several goal-mouth actions and three disallowed goals, ultimately resulting in Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Opa Sangante’s own-goal at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
On the same night, the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, while Ghana was held to a surprising 2-2 draw by Mozambique, leading to the Black Stars’ elimination from the competition.
However, none of these games captured Oliseh’s attention. Instead, he was enthralled by the high tactical and entertaining value of the clash between Egypt and Cape Verde.
Cape Verde had already secured the top spot in Group B by winning both of their previous games, but they didn’t ease up against the Egyptians. Gilson Tavares gave them the lead just before halftime, and after Mostafa Mohamed and Mahmoud Trezeguet had turned the tide in favor of the Pharaohs, Bryan Teixeira struck late to ensure a share of the spoils.
Impressed by the action-packed encounter, Oliseh took the opportunity to applaud the quality of football exhibited at the continental championship.
Conclusion
While Sunday Oliseh refrained from offering comments on Nigeria’s draw with Guinea-Bissau, he unequivocally praised the thrilling 2-2 draw between Cape Verde and Egypt as the most captivating match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite the various other games and their outcomes during the tournament, Oliseh’s focus on the high tactical and entertaining quality of the Cape Verde vs. Egypt clash underscores the enduring appeal of football’s excitement and unpredictability on the grand stage of African football. It serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication displayed by teams and players in the quest for continental glory.