Tremendous Eagles' ultimate Group A match of the continuing Africa Cup of Nations towards Guinea-Bissau is way more than only a battle for 3 factors. It’s a win that would take Nigeria to the highest of the rankings, forward of Equatorial Guinea or hosts Ivory Coast, and make sure the Tremendous Eagles get a 'softer' opponent within the second spherical of the championship.
A defeat might drop the nation to 3rd place, which can probably nonetheless earn the Eagles a ticket to the second spherical as one of many high 4 third-placed groups, however it would additionally imply Nigeria will face Morocco or Cape Verde Meet. within the spherical of 16.
A draw towards Guinea-Bissau places the Eagles in second place and a potential spherical of 16 towards Cameroon or Guinea, but when the Eagles high the group they are going to meet Tunisia, South Africa (in the event that they qualify), Algeria, Angola, Cameroon or Guinea.
Nigeria have 4 factors from the primary two matches, as do Equatorial Guinea, who at present lead the group with a better objective distinction. The Central Africans will meet Ivory Coast immediately of their final group match, which is third on three factors. Guinea-Bissau is with no level after two video games.
Successful Group A doesn’t assure the Tremendous Eagles can simply progress to the quarter-finals because the final time they topped their group in Cameroon two years in the past they misplaced within the spherical of 16 to Tunisia, who completed third in their very own group .
After two consecutive defeats in Abidjan, Guinea-Bissau is already out of the event and might solely be proud to battle for it towards the Tremendous Eagles. They misplaced their opening match 0-2 to Ivory Coast and had been defeated 2-4 by Equatorial Guinea on matchday two.
Tremendous Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, who missed the match towards Ivory Coast, will even miss immediately's match as he isn’t but match for the match, that means Coach Jose Peseiro will proceed with a midfield of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, with Kelechi Iheanacho probably coming as an attacking midfielder.
Iheanacho didn’t take part on this competitors as a result of harm he suffered earlier than the championship began. However camp sources say he’s now able to tackle the battle.
With Victor Osimhen nonetheless main the assault, Peseiro is anticipated to proceed with a ahead line that additionally contains Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
Feelers from the Eagles' ultimate coaching session yesterday present the backline may very well be unchanged from the aspect that suffocated Ivory Coast on Thursday, with skipper William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey in a three-man central protection offering cowl forward of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili, whereas Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina will play as wing-backs.
Right now's match is the fourth assembly between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau and the second through the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 2021 version of the championship in Cameroon noticed the Tremendous Eagles draw 2-0 within the group stage. However through the 2023 AFCON qualifying spherical, Guinea-Bissau defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Abuja, whereas in Bissau they returned the favor to complete high of the group.
Captain Troost-Ekong skilled alone on Saturday and was in a position to relaxation for immediately's match, simply as Sanusi can also be uncertain, though he did practice together with his mates yesterday.
Talking on the pre-match convention on the Palais de la Tradition in Abidjan's Treichville district, Peseiro careworn that the Tremendous Eagles is not going to take their ft off the pedal after they conflict with Guinea-Bissau.
“We defeated Ivory Coast, however that’s already a factor of the previous. We all know that in soccer the second counts. We have to mood our confidence and do extra work the place needed. We should not relaxation.
“We need to take first place and we now have to battle for that. We should do what it takes to perform our mission of tomorrow.”
He stated qualifying for the second spherical is simply one of many steps in direction of securing a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, including: “Now we have to overlook that we beat the host nation. There may be way more work to be achieved. We need to keep right here for the long run,” he advised thenff.com after the press convention.
Talking on the defeat to Djartus in Abuja, he stated: “We aren’t considering of revenge however we’re right here to outdo the group they usually have us of their sights. We should do what must be achieved. Guinea-Bissau has no level and can play with freedom, and that’s when a workforce turns into harmful.
The match shall be held on the Stade Félix Houphoüet-Boigny, Abidjan at 6:00 PM Nigerian time.
