Guinea Bissau seek to avoid a fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations group stage exit when they take on Nigeria at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday.
Djurtus cannot end in the automatic qualification spots after losing to Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea but could progress as one of the best third-placed sides by defeating unbeaten Nigeria in the final round of matches in Group A.
Guinea-Bissau’s AFCON 2023 prospects appear bleak after losing 4-2 to in-form Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Baciro Cande’s men are not only bottom of Group A, but a -4 goal difference potentially complicates progress in the event of defeating the Super Eagles on Monday.
Despite participating at three AFCONs before this year’s finals, Djurtus have never played a fourth game at the Cup of Nations, and only a win over Jose Peseiro’s men would give them a chance of turning the tide.
Strikingly, Guinea-Bissau defeated the three-time African champions in qualifying, claiming a shock 1-0 win at the home of the giants in March 2023, and a repeat would be just what the doctor ordered.
Having rued his team’s profligate finishing before the Equatoguineans seized control in Thursday’s loss, Cande hopes a repeat is avoided against Nigeria to have any hope of playing in the round of 16.
As for the Super Eagles, the three-time winners must not rest on their laurels heading into Monday’s decisive encounter to secure qualification.
Defeating Ivory Coast 1-0 in front of a partisan crowd has put Peseiro’s men in the driver’s seat, as four points should be enough to ensure passage to the first knockout round.
The Portuguese tactician surprised observers and the host nation with a tactical alteration from a 4-2-3-1 to a 5-4-1 on Thursday, and it remains to be seen if the trainer retains the same approach in their final Group A game.
Be that as it may, the team’s evident defensive solidity stands them in good stead in tournament football as they look to defeat a side they beat 2-0 at AFCON 2021.
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Team News
Mama Balde, who netted the only goal when Guinea-Bissau defeated the Super Eagles in 2023, should lead the attack in Monday’s decisive clash.
Ze Turbo scorer against the Equatoguineans, and Daalcio, who set him up, are pushing for starts against the Super Eagles.
Despite the outcome in the first two games, Cande is expected to stick with the 4-3-3 that was utilised against the hosts and Equatorial Guinea.
Despite winning the game-clinching penalty,Victor Osimhen’s profligate finishing could have cost Peseiro’s men against Ivory Coast — the Napoli centre-forward missed when played through by Samuel Chukwueze and headed over from Ola Aina’s throw-in.
Having switched to a back five to counter specific threats against the Elephants on Thursday, Peseiro could revert to a back four against Djurtus.
Zaidu Sanusi was withdrawn because of injury, and the Porto left-back may sit out Monday’s game;Kelechi Iheanacho , yet to play at AFCON 2023, and Alhassan Yusuf , injured in the opening game, could play on Monday if passed fit to partake.
Guinea-Bissau possible starting lineup:
Djoco; Encada, Djalo, Mane, Cande; Semedo, Bikel, Cassama; Rodrigues, Dju, Balde
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Onyemaechi; Simon, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman; Moffi, Osimhen
Prediction: Guinea-Bissau 0-2 Nigeria
Peseiro’s men should avoid complacency after beating the tournament hosts to secure a routine victory over Guinea-Bissau to end atop Group A.
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