AFCON 2023: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria Preview: Super Eagles eye summit finish

By Wale Mustapha

The Nigeria senior national team will be heading to their last group stage match against Guinea-Bissau as the favorites on Monday evening.

The three-time AFCON champions will need to avoid complacency as to guarantee their place in the next round.

The West Africans are still basking in the euphoria of defeating hosts Ivory Coast by 1-0 in front of their home fans which has put them in a good stead with four points.

Jose Peseiro shocked the bookmakers with his 3-5-2 formation against the Ivorians which neutralized any threats from the opponents and also caused more worries in the attack.

However, the Portuguese will be expected to make few adjustments for the next match in terms of formation and personnel to prosecute the encounter.

Nevertheless, Nigeria should be able to come good against the Djurtus who will be morally down but not out.

Baciro Cande’s men have lost their opening two games of the tournament and will want to put everything they have left into the final game, to leave Ivory Coast on a high or even stand a chance among the best third placed nations to be considered for the next round.

The Guineans will be seeking to avoid a fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations group stage exit when they take on fellow West Africans at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday.

They will also have a bit of hope as they intent to repeat the same feat that saw them beating Nigeria in the qualifying series back in 2023.

Coach Cande will need a strong psychologist to put his men in good shape mentally for the match as Nigeria are still not totally looking convincing at the tournament and they would see this match as a chance to make a statement as the serious contenders for the trophy.