Three-time African champions Nigeria defeated hosts Guinea-Bissau 1-0 on Monday to reclaim the top spot of Group A in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

The result – secured by a first-half penalty from Nantes forward Moses Simon – saw the Super Eagles avenge a shock defeat at the hands of the Djurtus in Abuja last Friday, and took them to nine points atop the standings.

Guinea-Bissau are second in Group A with seven points, with Sierra Leone (5 points) and Sao Tome & Principe (1 point) in third and fourth respectively.

Meanwhile, Algeria secured a 1-0 win over Niger at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades, Tunisia, to confirm their place at the AFCON showpiece, to be staged in Ivory Coast next year.

Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah fired home a left footed shot from the centre of the box in the 6th minute, following a crucial assist from Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

Algeria has won all four of their Group F qualifiers without a hitch, while Tanzania are second with 4 points, with Niger (2 points) and Uganda (1 point) in third and fourth respectively.

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