AFCON 2021: Nigeria Vs. Guinea-Bissau preview

By Ngome Michael

Group A of AFCON 2023 clocks its climax when Guinea Bissau play Nigeria simultaneously as Equatorial Guinea take on Côte D’Ivoire as all qualification routes remain open for three group members implies it is all to play for on final day.

Guinea on the brink of despair after two consecutive defeats face Nigeria in search of just a point to sail through and even an upset victory for the Djurtus cannot guarantee automatic qualification.

Despite having featured at three AFCONs before this year’s finals, Bissau have never played a fourth game at the Cup of Nations, and only a win over Jose Peseiro’s men would give them a chance of turning the oddds.

Worthy of note is the fact that Guinea Bissau side handed the Super Eagles a shocking 1-0 defeat in 2023, so they have some hope to cling to.

Nigeria needs to regain its scoring form back as victory could see them at the summit of Group A and their full of suprise Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro will certainly be thinking in that direction.

Peseiro has made tactical changes in all group matches against Equatorial Guinea and host Nations. From a 4-2-3-1 to a 5-4-1 on Thursday, it is left to be seen if the trainer retains the same approach in their final Group A game.

Mama Balde, who netted the only goal when Guinea-Bissau defeated the Super Eagles in 2023, should lead the attack in Monday’s decisive clash. Ze Turbo, scorer against the Equatoguineans, and Daalcio, who set him up, set to surely be retained to starts against the Super Eagles.

Despite the outcome in the first two games, Cande is expected to stick with the 4-3-3 used against the hosts and Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria’s defensive stead so far at the AFCON dose not reflect reactions from the attack. Despite edging Côte D’Ivoire from penalty won by Africa’s player of the year, Victor Osimhen. The Napoli forward needs to up his game.

He missed when played through by Samuel Chukwueze and headed over from Ola Aina’s  throw-in. Osimhen also squandered a couple more against Equatorial Guinea in their opening game.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Alhassan Yusuf yet to play at the tournament so far could feature in this game after Zaidu Sanusi could sit out having withdrawn due to injury in the previous game.