Odion Ighalo scored in the 77th minute to give the Super Eagles a hard-fought 1-0 win against debutants, Burundi in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations in Alexandria on Saturday.
It was the Eagles’ first opening group game win since 2006 when they beat Ghana 1-0, as they went winless in the opening games of their last three appearances in 2008, 2010 and 2013.
Paul Onuachu had the game’s first big chance on 13 minutes but his close header off a John Mikel Obi flick was well saved by the Burundi keeper, Jonathan Nahimana.
Burundi responded a minute later but Daniel Akpeyi made a brilliant point-blank save off Cedric Amissi.
In the 19th minute, Akpeyi almost gifted Burundi the first goal after he made a mess of a back pass from Kenneth Omeruo which eventually went away for a corner.
The Eagles went close on 28 minutes after Alex Iwobi turned his marker superbly inside the box only for Chukwueze to blaze his effort way over the bar.
A few minutes later, Burundi had a chance from Gael Bigirimana from a well struck free-kick which Akpeyi punched away.
In the 37th minute Burundi went close again from a setpiece by Frederic Nsabiyumva which came off the woodwork before blazing the rebound over the bar.
With five minutes remaining in the first half, the Eagles were forced into a change as Shehu Abdullahi went off with an hamstring injury and was replaced by Chidozie Awaziem.
In the 51st minute Omeruo got on to Oghenekaro Etebo’s floated free-kick with a header which went just over the bar.
The Eagles made their second change on 58 minutes with Ahmed Musa replacing Mikel.
In the 70th minute Chukwueze made a superb mazy run into the Burundi box but his clever chip went over the bar.
In the 73rd minute the Eagles made their last change with Ighalo replacing the ineffective Paul Onuachu.
The Gernot Rohr-led side eventually broke the deadlock on 77 minutes through Ighalo who curled his effort into the far corner off a brilliant back heel pass from Ola Aina.
With four minutes left, Ighalo went close again as he hit a long range shot which went just over.
Bigirimana almost equalised for Burundi after going on a run but his low left foot shot was well saved by Akpeyi.
And in the last minute of added time, Aina made a timely clearance to avert danger for the Eagles.
In the other match of the group, Madagascar will face Guinea also on Saturday.
The Super Eagles will face Guinea on Wednesday, 26 June in Alexandria in their second group game.
