Afrigather Nigeria will full their group stage schedule on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a vital tie in opposition to Guinea-Bissau.
The Tremendous Eagles arrive for this conflict second in Group A, tied with leaders Equatorial Guinea, with 4 factors from their first two video games.
The three-time AFCON winners stumbled to an unsatisfactory 1-1 draw with the Equatoguineans on matchday one earlier than producing a masterclass efficiency in smash-and-grab to assert a 1-0 win over hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
Nigeria can qualify among the many 4 third-best groups even with a loss in opposition to the Bissauguineans.
Nevertheless, the Tremendous Eagles might be favourites to document a 3rd win in 4 video games in opposition to the Djurtus and end as Group A winners.
After two straight losses in Abidjan, Guinea-Bissau are already out of the match and have solely pleasure to struggle for in opposition to the Nigerians.
The Djurtus fell to a 2-0 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire within the match’s opening match, and so they had a couple of issues to cheer about of their 4-2 loss to Equatorial Guinea on matchday two.
It was the primary time Guinea-Bissau scored two objectives in a match on the AFCON, however it was not sufficient to assist them keep away from defeat.
The Wild Canine are but to carve out a win after 11 makes an attempt on the AFCON, and it could be a historic second to document such an achievement in opposition to Nigeria, three-time champions.
Nigeria, although, is not going to be within the temper to present out items on Monday.
With the Tremendous Eagles boasting an attacking pressure of Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Paul Onuachu, it could be a miracle for Guinea-Bissau to flee even with a draw.
Head-to-head
Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau are dealing with one another for the fourth time general and the second time on the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Tremendous Eagles secured a wonderful 2-0 win when the 2 groups met for the primary time within the group stage of the 2021 version.
Curiously, the 2 nations had been drawn in the identical qualifying group for the 2023 AFCON.
Guinea-Bissau gained 1-0 in Abuja, whereas Nigeria recorded the same lone-goal victory in Bissau because the Tremendous Eagles completed high of the group, because the Djurtus positioned second.
Nigeria’s pedigree on the AFCON stays nearly peerless.
Whereas the Djurtus are taking part in their twelfth match, Nigeria will take to the pitch for the one hundredth time on the AFCON, turning into the fourth nation to succeed in that complete after Egypt, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire.
Group information
Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf stays unavailable for Nigeria after his harm in opposition to Equatorial Guinea.
Zaidu Sanusi can be uncertain after selecting a knock in Thursday’s conflict with the Ivorians.
Boavista’s Bruno Onyemaechi and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey can be found choices to educate Jose Peseiro in that left-back position.
Captain William Troost-Ekong educated away from the squad on Friday and Saturday, and he could possibly be rested for the Guinea-Bissau tie.
Troost-Ekong has scored two of Nigeria’s final three AFCON objectives, with a kind of coming in opposition to Guinea-Bissau in 2022, and the PAOK defender can be gutted to overlook this one.
Peseiro can name on Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo in his stead, with the previous AFCON winner taking part in the previous few minutes in opposition to Cote d’Ivoire.
Iheanacho may make his first look because the Leicester Metropolis star seems to show his health forward of stiffer challenges within the knockout rounds.
Except for that, the Tremendous Eagles have little hassle in assault as Osimhen can pair with any of Moffi or Lookman to unleash fury in opposition to the Djurtus.
Attainable lineup
Nigeria (4-4-2): Nwabali, Aina, Ajayi, Omeruo, Bassey; Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Chukwueze; Moffi, Osimhen
Coach: Jose Peseiro
Guinea-Bissau (4-3-3): Djoco; Encada, Djalo, Mane, Cande; Semedo, Bikel, Cassama; Rodrigues, Balde, Ze Turbo
Coach: Baciro Candé
Match particulars
Competitors: CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Match: Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria
Venue: Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Abidjan)
Date: January 22, 2024
Kickoff time: 6 pm (Nigerian time)
