Nigeria will go in search of a third straight win in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers when they host Guinea-Bissau at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on the evening of Friday, 24 March.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
The Super Eagles top the standings by two points from their opponents, having had to work hard for a 2-1 home win over Sierra Leone, followed by a brutal 10-0 destruction of minnows Sao Tome & Principe – in which star striker Victor Osimhen scored four goals.
And the Napoli man is looking to continue his form when the national team’s qualification campaign resumes on Friday: “Another win, another brace [against Torino]. Focus now on the game against Guinea-Bissau. God is the greatest,” he wrote on his Twitter timeline.
Another Win Another Brace,Focus Now On The Game Against Guinea Bissau.GOD Is The Greatest???????? pic.twitter.com/814W0EQGjX
— Victor Osimhen (@victorosimhen9) March 19, 2023
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro has also defended his decision to include the likes of Joe Aribo, Wilfred Ndidi, Kenneth Omeruo and Paul Onuachu in his squad, given that these players have seen little playing time for their clubs of late.
“For me, I prefer to choose the best players. Though, they may not have more playing time but for me, the best player is the best player,” said Peseiro.
“If they are not given a chance to play in their clubs, it's my obligation and responsibility to call them because I believe in them. If I believe in you to deliver for me, there is no problem if I invite such a player. If they are injured it's different.”
Match Day Eve! ?? How una dey? #SoarSuperEagles #AFCON2023Q #NGAGNB pic.twitter.com/5j4KBxcfvm
— ???? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 23, 2023
Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, made a solid start to their Group A campaign with a convincing 5-1 win over Sao Tome, followed by a 2-2 draw away to Sierra Leone.
They have played at the last three Afcons in succession and will be confident of making it four in a row – especially if they can take points off the group’s clear heavyweight.
Djurtus coach Baciro Cande acknowledges that Nigeria are a cut above in terms of class and quality, but remains hopeful of an upset result: “We know that no matter how strong a team is, there is always a weak side and we hope to capitalise on that,” said Cande.
In head-to-head stats, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau have met in just one previous match: an Afcon group stage clash at the tournament in Cameroon last year, in which the Super Eagles claimed a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong.
These teams will meet in the return Group A qualifier at Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday, 27 March.