Nigeria will conflict in opposition to Equatorial Guinea within the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations on the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday.
The Tremendous Eagles will probably be aiming for his or her fourth AFCON title, however they’ve made a number of adjustments to their squad because of accidents. In the meantime, the Nzalang Nacional goals to proceed their document of at all times qualifying from their group.
Match Preview
The preparation of Jose Peseiro’s Nigeria has been subpar, and their efficiency on the sector doesn’t encourage confidence {that a} fourth title is imminent earlier than the opening fixture in opposition to Equatorial Guinea.
Regardless of the popularity of their attacking expertise, Nigeria has not been in a position to carry out as much as their potential lately.
Lacking out on the 2022 World Cup was a big blow for them, they usually additionally did not impress within the final AFCON, getting eradicated within the spherical of 16.
Victor Osimhen is Nigeria’s finest participant heading into this match, and the present African Footballer of the 12 months must be pivotal to the Tremendous Eagles’ prospects in Group A.
Nonetheless, doubts have arisen in regards to the squad’s stability earlier than their match opener after shedding their ultimate pleasant sport in opposition to Guinea.
Alternatively, Equatorial Guinea’s spectacular document of progressing to the final eight every time they take part on the continental showpiece motivates them earlier than Sunday’s fixture.
They’ve gone undefeated all through 2023 and claimed victories in World Cup qualifying video games in opposition to Namibia and Liberia with out conceding a objective.
Staff Information
Peseiro has needed to cope with a number of compelled withdrawals because of accidents. Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface, and Sadiq Umar have been changed on the eve of their first sport, whereas Kelechi Iheanacho is uncertain.
It stays to be seen how Peseiro rejigs his aspect.
Emilio Nsue will probably be pivotal to Equatorial Guinea’s hopes of success at AFCON 2021, and the striker ought to lead the road in Micha’s 4-2-3-1.
A attainable risk to the Tremendous Eagles is Jose Machin, whose ball-carrying might disrupt Nigeria’s flawed organisation out of possession.
Attainable Lineups
Nigeria attainable beginning lineup: (4-4-2)
Uzoho;
Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi;
Chukwueze, Iwobi, Onyeka, Simon;
Moffi, Osimhen.
Equatorial Guinea attainable beginning lineup: (4-2-3-1)
Owono;
Akapo, Anieboh, Orozco, Ndong;
Ganet, Bikoro;
Miranda, Machin, Salvador;
Nsue.
Prediction: Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea
Unbeaten in 11 aggressive and non-competitive video games, Equatorial Guinea ought to make that 12 in opposition to a Tremendous Eagles aspect closely reliant on Osimhen to ship the products.