CAIRO, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria broke off the resilience of debutants Burundi to win 1-0 at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday to lead Group B in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 after Guinea and Madagascar match in the same group ended with a 2-2 draw at midnight.
Nigeria's Odion Ighalo stepped off the bench to score the winner to help his team fight for a fourth AFCON title.
Ighalo had spent just four minutes on the pitch having come on for Paul Ebere on 72 minutes.
The China-based forward calmly beat Burundi keeper Jonathan Nahimana on a one-on-one after running through to an outrageous assist from Ola Aina.
Aina picked up a pass from Alex Iwobi before backheeling through to Ighalo who finished the rest of the job with a calm finish.
In the 14th minute, a well weighted ball from Burundi's Gael Bigirimana in midfield landed perfectly on Cedric Amissi's racing feet inside the box with the winger setting himself up with the first touch, but his effort was too close to the Nigerian keeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Bigirimana had another promising opportunity when he struck a stinging freekick from range in the 28th minute with Akpeyi being forced to fist it away as it came with pace and power.
Burundi were denied by the bar in the 37th minute when Cedric Nsabiyumva's header off a Shassir Nahimana freekick on the left came against the woodwork.
Nsabiyumva picked up the rebound but his volley went wide off target.
Nigeria were forced to make a change six minutes to the break when Abdullahi Shehu was stretchered off and his place taken by Collins Chidozie on the right side of defense.
The Eagles came back hungrier in the second half and played with more urgency.
Six minutes after the restart, Kenneth Omeruo's header at the backpost off a Peter Etebo freekick went inches wide. In the 70th minute, Chukweuze had a chance with a dinking effort as he raced though on goal from the left but the effort was over.
Burundi almost found a way back into the game immediately when Akpeyi made an error handling a cross, but Abdul Razak Fiston, Burundi's top scorer during the qualifiers, could not take advantage as his shot at goal blocked.
Burundi's next assignment will be against fellow debutants Madagascar next Wednesday while Nigeria will face Guinea the following day.
In the meantime, Madagascar had their first ever point in the history of ACON when they held Guinea to a thrilling 2-2 draw in Alexandria as both sides kicked off their Group B campaign.
The game started nervously with both sides committing a number of fouls in midfield.
Madagascar had the first shot on goal after 21 minutes when Lalaina Nominianahry tried to shoot but the ball went easily to the hands of Ali Keita between the posts for Guinea.
Ibrahim Cisse had Guinea's best effort in the first half when he saw his shot kissing the upright after 27 minutes.
Ima Andriasima could have broken the deadlock for Madagascar, but his shot just missed the target at the half hour mark.
Guinea who took the lead after 34 minutes via Sory Kaba.
Amadou Traore's long shot found Kaba one on one with Malagasy goalkeeper and he rounded him to put Guinea in lead with the goal that separated both sides at halftime.
Madagascar returned stronger and needed just four minutes after the restart to equalize.
From a corner kick Andriantinaina jumped higher than everyone to head the ball home scoring Madagascar's first ever AFCON goal.
The equalizer gave Madagascar confidence as they controlled possession and it was not so long till they took the lead.
Anicet Andriamatsinoro found himself one on one with Keita and he made no mistakes to give Madagascar the lead after 55 minutes.
With defeat looming Guinea had Liverpool star Naby Keita in after 62 minutes. Just three minutes later they were awarded a penalty when Roman Metanire fouled Ibrahima Traore inside the vital area.
Francois Kamano scored calmly from the spot to restore parity again.
Nigeria now lead Group B pack with 3 points, Madagascar and Guinea follow with a point each, with Burundi trailing pointless.
The AFCON kicked off Friday and will go through July 19 where 24 teams will fight for the most prestigious football title in Africa.
