Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau on Monday (today), seeking at least a draw to advance from their Africa Cup of Nations Group A.
Nigeria is positioned second in Group A after drawing 1-1 and winning 0-1 in their first two games against Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast, respectively.
Guinea-Bissau, however, have lost their first two matches but will aim to cause an upset against the Eagles as they meet at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
“Indeed, we are going to base ourselves on this match. We have analysed the game of the Super Eagles well, we hope to make a success of our exit in the absence of having had a good tournament,” said Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Condé.
Eagles striker Victor Osimhen said the Eagles would study the tape of the loss to Guinea-Bissau and come up with a strategy to beat the fellow West Africans.
“We know them; we played them in the qualifying series. They are a dangerous team if you let them play,” Osimhen told reporters in Abidjan.”
But Nigeria are determined not to repeat their shock 1-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2023 AFCON qualifying group stage last year
“What matters is the present. We focus on the present and the future. We have confidence in ourselves. We are aiming for first place, which is also occupied by Equatorial Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire; it is up to us to remain vigilant,” insisted Super Eagles coach José Peseiro.
Defender Kenneth Omeruo said the team’s sole objective is to win the AFCON trophy in Ivory Coast.
“Our objective is clear. Bring the cup home. It’s been a while since we added a trophy to our cabinet, which is not acceptable when you’re wearing the green shirt,” Omeruo stated.
“I will not say that our defeat against them was accidental, but it does not reflect the spirit that reigns in our camp today. We are hungry for victory; it’s up to us to put everything in place to achieve our ambitions,” he added.
On the other hand, hosts Ivory Coast take on Equatorial Guinea in a must-win encounter on Monday (today), at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.
After their heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Nigeria, the Elephants need to win all three points in order to automatically advance to the competition’s knockout stages.
The Ivorians, who have showed tremendous support for the host country in their two matches, will be quite disappointed if they lose.
Both Group A matches will be played simultaneously at 6pm (Nigerian time) and will hold a lot of suspense for AFCON fans.