Nigeria Vs Sao Tome and Principe: Match Preview
Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe draw curtains on their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification journey when they face-off on Sunday, see match preview here.
MATCH DETAILS
Type of Competition: 2023 Africa have of Nations qualifying game
Fixture: Nigeria Vs Sao Tome and Principe
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
Time: 5pm
Date: Sunday September 10, 2023
ABOUT THE MATCH
The second game betwixt Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe at full international level.
The first leg ended 0-10 in favour of Nigeria who rode on that form to book 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification with this game to spare.
It is Nigeria who occupy top spot in group A and a win on Sunday will ensure the Eagles end well ahead of Guinea-Bissau in second spot. Both teams secured qualification for the AFCON in the penultimate round of games.
Nigeria defeated Sierra Leone over two legs to open a seven gap over the third placed team in group A and thus book the AFCON ticket .
The wins vs Sierra Leone clipped what was a negative run of results for Jose Peseiro tutored Nigeria Super Eagles and has contributed to the NFF decision to renew Cosch Jose Peseiro’s contract.
For Sao Tome and Principe, a poor run is why they hold sway record as worst defence in the AFCON qualifiers having conceded 20 goals in their five matches. The Super Eagles responsible for ten from the first leg.
Sao Tome & Principe head into the match vs Nigeria without a win in 17 games across all competitions.
The True Patriots have lost 16 and drawn one since a 2-1 victory over Libya in the AFCON qualifiers back in March 2016.
Sao Tome Head Coach Eusebio has named a 21-man list for the clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria and this includes goalkeeper Pedro Mateus, midfielder Denilson Silva and veteran striker Luis Leal.
Leal, is Sao Tome and Principe’s all-time leading scorer and should lead the attack once again in a front three with Amora FC man Ebanilson Viegas and Marcos Barbeiro.
Nigeria predicted starting lineup:
Uzoho; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Onyeka, Ndidi, Aribo; Chukwueze, Iheanacho, Osimhen
Sao Tome & Principe predicted starting lineup: Mendes; Fernandes, Varela, Ramos, Soares; Santos, Silva, Selemane; Leal, Viegas, Barbeiro
SPORTSRATION SAYS
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will start as overwhelming favourites to win this match, we say Nigeria 4-0 Sao Tome and Principe.
