Nigeria Vs Guinea-Bissau: 2023 AFCON match preview
Nigeria faces Guinea-Bissau in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final group game. SportsRation presents a preview of the match.
MATCH DETAILS
Competition: 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Stage: Group stage
Fixture: Nigeria Vs Guinea-Bissau
Date: Monday, January 22, 2024
Time: 6pm
ABOUT THE MATCH
Guinea-Bissau seeks to avoid a fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations group stage exit when they face Nigeria at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
Despite losing their two previous gropu stage games, the Djurtus, currently at the bottom of Group A, could still progress as one of the best third-placed teams by defeating Nigeria in their final group stage match.
That will require a magical result and miracle for other results to go their way, and this includes Equatorial Guinea spanking tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the other last group A fixture.
- Guinea-Bissau lost 4-2 to Equatorial Guinea in their previous game, leaving them on the brink of elimination. A win against Nigeria is crucial for their chances of progressing.
- Guinea-Bissau defeated Nigeria in the qualifying rounds with a shock 1-0 win in March 2023. A repeat performance is needed to advance to the round of 16.
- Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast 1-0, putting them in a favorable position with four points. A victory in the final group game would secure their qualification to the knockout round.
- Nigeria’s coach, Jose Peseiro, surprised observers with a tactical alteration in the last match. It remains to be seen if he retains the same approach against Guinea-Bissau.
- The two teams have met three times thus far, twice in the AFCON qualifiers and once in the group stage of the competition. These games have produced conclusive results with two wins for Nigeria and one game going Guinea-Bissau’s way.
- Interestingly, both teams have kept clean sheets in these wins as well.
- Guinea-Bissau have the worst defensive record in the competition after two games, letting in six goals.
- The Super Eagles have suffered just one loss in their last seven games at the AFCON, recording five wins and keeping four clean sheets.
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Possible Lineups:
Guinea-Bissau: Djoco; Encada, Djalo, Mane, Cande; Semedo, Bikel, Cassama; Rodrigues, Dju, Balde
Nigeria: Nwabali; Aina, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman; Iheanacho, Osimhen
The outcome of this match will determine the fate of Guinea-Bissau in the tournament, while Nigeria aims to secure automatic knockout stage qualification spot with victory.
PREDICTION
Nigeria will come into this game determined to seal a spot in the next round. We don’t expect a surprise here, Nigeria 2-0 Guinea-Bisssau.
