OGUN, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigeria will play Guinea-Bissau in a critical match to wrap up their group stage campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
With four points from their opening two games, the Super Eagles are equal for first place in Group A with Equatorial Guinea going into this matchup.
On matchday one, the three-time AFCON champions struggled to an unsatisfactory 1-1 draw with the Equatoguineans before dominating smash-and-grab play to win 1-0 against the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire.
Even after losing to the Bissauguians, Nigeria can still place among the top four teams.
But against the Djurtus, the Super Eagles will be the favorites to win three straight and take first place in Group A.
Guinea-Bissau is already eliminated from the competition after suffering two straight losses in Abidjan, and their sole motivation to play the Nigerians is pride.
The Djurtus lost their initial encounter of the tournament, 2-0, to Cote d’Ivoire, but they had some positives from their matchday two loss, 4-2, against Equatorial Guinea.
It was the first time Guinea-Bissau scored two goals in a match at the AFCON, but it was not enough to help them avoid defeat.
The Wild Dogs are yet to carve out a win after 11 attempts at the AFCON, and it would be a historical moment to record such an achievement against Nigeria, three-time champions.
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Nigeria, though, will not be in the mood to give out gifts on Monday
With the Super Eagles boasting an attacking force of Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Paul Onuachu, it would be a miracle for Guinea-Bissau to escape even with a draw.
Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau are facing each other for the fourth time overall and the second time at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles secured a fine 2-0 win when the two teams met for the first time in the group stage of the 2021 edition. Interestingly, the two nations were drawn in the same qualifying group for the 2023 AFCON.
Guinea-Bissau won 1-0 in Abuja, while Nigeria recorded a similar lone-goal victory in Bissau as the Super Eagles finished top of the group, as the Djurtus placed second.
Nigeria’s pedigree at the AFCON remains almost peerless.
While the Djurtus are playing their 12th match, Nigeria will take to the pitch for the 100th time at the AFCON, becoming the fourth nation to reach that total after Egypt, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire.
Possible 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 details
Competition: 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)
Source: Soccernet