By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo,

It is going to be clash of elephants this weekend as Seychelles welcome Nigeria this weekend with both countries aiming to bag three points as they look to set the early pace in the qualification campaign.

The West Africans giants have never faced the tiny island nation before, but with both teams failing to win their opening 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, this Saturday’s clash should be fascinating.

Nigeria come into the clash placed third on the group standings after they lost their opening match 2-0 at home to South Africa back in June 2017. Seychelles on their part, are placed last on the standings after their match away to Libya played in Egypt due to continuing political instability in Libyaended in a 5-1 defeat.

Even though Nigeria’s recent form has not been nothing to brag about, the Super Eagles boast three AFCON titles to their name but have not appeared at the tournament since winning the trophy in South Africa in 2013

The Seychelles, by contrast, have never qualified for the AFCON finals. Their attempt to reach the last continental tournament in 2017 saw them finish third in a group which included Algeria, Ethiopia and Lesotho.

The Lions might be ranked a lowly as 188th in the world, but they are a squad with players who have played together for long, many of them past their 30s. They might be huge underdogs here, but the close-knit nature of the squad means they can rally round themselves and do the unexpected. To this end, Nigeria must not be complacent.

Given that the Super Eagles and Seychelles are the two bottom teams in the group following a loss in their opening encounter, their match this Saturday will seeming sparks firework and only the winner will carry the day.

This will be the first-ever meeting of Seychelles and Nigeria in senior international football. The venue of the very first-ever encounter will be Stade Linite on an artificial turf with oscillating temperature.