Match Preview: Super Eagles hunt Wild Dogs in Abuja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will lock horns with the Djurtus or Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau in their AFCON Qualifier at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Here is a preview of what to expect from the encounter between the sides on Nigerian soil.
The Super Eagles, who have some of the world’s most in-form players in Europe this season, will look to make it three wins from three in Group A as they look to reach the Africa Cup of Nations slated for June 2023. The Nigerian side won their first two games against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome & Principe to sit in first place, while the Wild Dogs claimed four points from their first two games with a win and a draw.
Recent form: Nigeria’s Super Eagles ended 2022 with a poor run of form, losing to Portugal, Costa Rica and Algeria in consecutive games before the World Cup. Manager Jose Peseiro will be looking to arrest the slump by recording a vital win with his side. Like the Super Eagles, Guinea-Bissau have failed to win any of its last three games, with two draws and a defeat.
Nigeria had some off-the-field issues coming into the match, with problems arising between the NFF and the coaching staff. The Super Eagles will do well to put those behind them as they look to gain a firm grip of Group A. A win will put them five points clear in the group.
Head-to-head: The Super Eagles and the Wild Dogs are no strangers to one another, as they met in Cameroon only 14 months ago. The Djurtus famously promised to “rather die” than lose to the Super Eagles, who claimed a comfortable 2-0 win in their AFCON meeting.
Players to watch: Nigeria’s red-hot superstars Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi and Ademola Lookman were absent from the side that claimed a 2-0 win under Austin Eguavoen in Cameroon, but the trio are expected to play starring roles in Abuja. Also, Samuel Chukwueze is another to keep an eye on for the Super Eagles.
Probable starting XI: Francis Uzoho; Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kenneth Omeruo, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi; Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Terem Moffi, Victor Osimhen
KO Time: 5pm Nigerian time
Prediction: 3-0 win for Nigeria.
