In what was a Saturday evening of mixed football fortunes, Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on a winning note, beating their first Group B opponents Burundi by an unreplied goal.

The underdogs unexpectedly gave the Nigerians a run for their money during the match played at the Alexandria Stadium, and it took a volley by substitute Odion Ighalo to btreak the deadlock in the 76^th minute of play.

Though absent from the last two editions of AFCON, the Nigerians are one of the tournament favourites in view of their football pedigree.

Meanwhile, in France, it was the end of the road for the country’s senior female national team, the Super Falcons, in the FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing 0-3 to two-time world champions Germany. Captain Alexandra Popp gave Germany the lead on 20 minutes, nodding Lina Magull’s in-swinging corner inside the far post. Minutes later Magull was caught on the knee as Nigerian left-back Evelyn Nwabouku attempted to clear a loose ball in the area. After reviewing the incident on the touchline, the referee awarded Germany a penalty, and striker Sara Daebritz made no mistake from 12 yards.

Schueller completed the rout in 82 minutes, pouncing on a mistake from Halimat Ayinde and smashing the ball into the bottom corner to zoom into the quarter-finals in grand style.