Super Eagles CB, William Ekong expressed the team’s disappointment at failing to secure a victory in their opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Nigeria fought from behind to settle for a 1-1 draw against a resilient Equatorial Guinea side on Sunday.

Ivan Salvador broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, but Victor Osimhen leveled with a near post header just two minutes later.

Despite a strong second-half performance, Nigeria was denied the win by Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper, Jesús Owono whose ma-of the-match performance thwarted the efforts of Zaidu Sanusi, Ola AIna and Osimhen.

“We played well and created several chances, maybe another day we would have scored three or four goals,” Ekong said after the game.

“We came to win the game, but we didn’t. One point now, we have to look at the next game.”

The 30 year-old also admitted the team could have defended better to avoid the first half goal conceded.

“I’m always disappointed if we concede a goal but that’s part of football, but we created more. It is one of those days and hopefully we’ll get it right next time.”

The Super Eagles will return to Stade Alassane Ouattara on Thursday to face host, Cote d’Ivoire in their second group A game.