TotalAFCON2019: Kenneth Omeruo sends Super Eagles through knockout phase

The Super eagles of Nigeria became the first team to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations knockout rounds as Kenneth Omeruo's brilliant header earned a 1-0 victory over Guinea in Group B.

In a largely uneventful encounter in Alexandria, Nigeria break the deadlock when Omeruo headed in from Moses Simon's 73rd-minute corner.

Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone was at his best with two excellent saves from a pair of Alex Iwobi efforts, but his performance proved fruitless as Omeruo's bullet header ended Nigeria's four-match winless run against the Syli Nationale.

Making his first start in eight weeks, Keita almost had an assist early on, but Sory Kaba failed to connect the midfielder's throughball into his path. 

As Guinea kept up the pressure, Francois Kamano sent a free-kick just wide, though Nigeria would have took the lead before half-time had Kone not got down to Iwobi's effort.

Just after the hour, Kone came to Guinea's rescue again doing well to prevent another Iwobi strike dipping in.

Late on in the match, Guinea rallied to get an equalizer though Nigeria had little trouble in holding out for the three points which guarantees their place in the last 16 with a game to spare.

Key Opta Facts

- Nigeria have won their last six games at the Africa Cup of Nations, their longest streak in their history, never conceding more than one goal in each of their six encounters.

- Guinea are winless in their last seven games at the Africa Cup of Nations (D5 L2), their longest streak in their history.

- Guinea have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 14 AFCON games.