Nigeria beat Burundi 1-0 courtesy of an Odion Ighalo's late goal in their first group game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday evening.

Gernot Rohr's charges did really well to contain the plucky underdogs amidst a foray of missed chances and Daniel Akpeyi's saves to keep the three-time champions in it.

Samuel Chukwueze wowed the watching fans with some eye-catching solo runs but the Burundian defence remained resolute as the first period gradually fizzled out.

Ahmed Musa came on for Obi Mikel as the Super Eagles sought to break down their resilient opponents and the Al Nassr man was quick to join the flow, darting through the left to put in a really decent cross but the chance went begging.

The breakthrough eventually arrived after the introduction of Odion Ighalo, who ran onto the end of an Ola Aina lay-off to beat goalkeeper Njonathan, much to the ecstasy of the watching fans, handing Nigeria three points to build on.