In their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match, the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Ivan Edu curled a shot into the far right corner of the Super Eagles net in the 35th minute to give Equatorial Guinea the lead in the game played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.

But Nigeria answered quickly, leveling the score with a header from Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who connected to Ademola Lookman’s cross with a massive header.

The match, which drew a moderate crowd to the 60,000-seat Ebimbe Olympic Stadium, saw Nigeria dominate early possession and should have taken the lead ten minutes in.

Super Eagle Zaidu Sanusi at the far post missed a low cross from the right, but he shot too high and wide.

Equatoguinean Jesus Owono was the busier goalie as the second half went on, stopping multiple Super Eagles attacks with his foot.

Midway through the first half, Nigeria suffered a setback when their dynamic midfield player, Alhassan Yusuf, who had been a late addition to the team to replace the injured Wilfred Ndidi, was carted off with injuries.

On minute 76, Osimhen had a great chance to give his team the lead, but he missed the goal after firing past the goalkeeper.

On Thursday, the Super Eagles and Ivory Coast will play in what could be an AFCON highlight match before Equatorial Guinea takes on Guinea-Bissau in the second round of Group A matches.