Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro insists preparation is key to beating Guinea-Bissau in their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group A clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday, January 22.
Kick-off is at 7pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM:
The Super Eagles are looking to secure top spot in the group after picking up their first win when they edged hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 on January 18 courtesy of William Troost-Ekong's 55th-minute penalty.
Peseiro's side maintained their unbeaten start to the tournament and are level with Equatorial Guinea on four points but behind them on goal difference, having played out to a 1-1 draw with the National Thunder in the opening match on January 14.
The Djurtus were eliminated from the continental showpiece after suffering a 4-2 defeat to Equatorial Guinea on January 18, which left them bottom of the group without a single point.
Coupled with a 2-0 loss to the Elephants on January 13, Baciro Cande's side have shipped the most goals in the group stages, but the head coach is determined to go out with a bang.
TEAM NEWS:
Cande has a full-strength squad to select from after his players came through the game against the National Thunder unscathed. Peseiro will continue to monitor Alhassan Yusuf, who missed the win over Ivory Coast after being forced off in the 69th minute against Equatorial Guinea with a cramp.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Nigeria head coach José Peseiro
"We won an excellent match against Ivory Coast, supported by a strategic plan that was impeccably executed, by the quality, intelligence, determination and mutual help of our boys.
"It's up to us to keep our focus on training, rest and nutrition in order to beat Guinea Bissau."
Guinea-Bissau head coach Baciro Cande
"I feel sad. We wanted to win this match but we did not succeed. Before their first goal, we had four chances to score plus the penalty that was refused.
"We worked hard to be ready for this game. Football is sometimes like that. We have one game left to close the group stage and we hope to win."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Guinea-Bissau - Ze Turbo: The 27-year-old striker has yet to start for his country, but opened his account with a well-taken goal in the 93rd minute against the National Thunder. He came off the bench in the opening two matches and will be hoping to have done enough to earn a first start under Cande.
Nigeria - Victor Osimhen: The 25-year-old striker could prove a real handful for the Djurtus after getting on the scoresheet against Equatorial Guinea and winning the penalty in the clash with the Elephants that was converted by Troost-Ekong, who revealed afterwards that Osimhen asked him to take the spot-kick despite being first choice.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Matches - 3
Guinea-Bissau wins - 1
Nigeria wins - 2
Draws - 0