This series of penalties preceded a 90 minutes battle between both sides with the Guineans having an upper hand almost throughout the game.

In a first half dominated by Guinea, Nigerians seem dispersed and cut into two halves between the attack and defense. The Guineans will win the battle of the midfield and take the initiative to organize play in their hands; Alya Toure and Algassime Bah animating actions up front.

Bah will hit the top bar a first time at the 8th minute through a powerful shot diverted to the woodwork by goalkeeper Sunday Stephen who will continually be solicited in this game.

Nigeria which began the game timidly will test the Guinean defense with 2 counter offensives but Wisdom Ubani will be less inspired with the finisher at 12th minute, losing possession at the entrance of the penalty box.

Nigeria will proceed by counter offensives led by Akinkumi Amoo and at the 18th minute but Wisdom’s shot will pass inches besides the goal post of Sekou Camara.

The Guinean response will come at the 23rd minute from Algassima Bah but goalkeeper Sunday Stephen will require 2 saves to get hold of the ball. The Guineans would not relent efforts and another shot from Aboubakar Conte at the 27th minute is ultimately blocked by Samson Tijani of Nigeria.

The golden eaglets will let the dust settle and will once more be dangerous at the 32nd minute with a 30 metres free kick from Wilson Ubani which goes wide. 13 minutes later,Akinkunmi Amaoo will put Samson Tijani in an ideal position but the latter will shoot wide.

Akinkumi Amoo will surprisingly leave the pitch a minute to half time substituted by Olakunle Olusegun.

The second half will see the Guineans reduce pace and the Nigerians back on the attack line. But it won’t be a good day for Nigeria’s best skipper Wilson Ubani who will on several occasions at the 50th and 72nd miss the target and hit the top bar a second time at the 75th minutes .

The blast of the final whistle by referee Andofetra Rakotojaona from Madagascar will mean the fate of the game shall be decided through penalty shootouts. A nerve breaking series which saw Guinea grab its ticket for the finals.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com