The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations continues on Monday, January 22 with the Super Eagles of Nigeria facing Guinea-Bissau in Group A at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
Other matches which will be played on Monday are: Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast, Mozambique vs Ghana, and Cape Verde vs Egypt.
So far, Nigeria has played a 1-1 draw in their first match against Equatorial Guinea and grabbed a 0-1 win in their second game against Ivory Coast.
No doubt, Guinea-Bissau will be aiming to secure a win against Nigeria after losing their first two matches in the group.
“Indeed we are going to base ourselves on this match. We have analysed the game of the Super Eagles well, we hope to make a success of our exit in the absence of having had a good tournament,” said Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Condé.
Meanwhile, the Eagles also have a plan to secure a win against the African Wild Dogs as talented Striker, Victor Osimhen, has revealed that there is a strategy beat the fellow West Africans.
Speaking to reporters in Abidjan, Osimhen said the Eagles would study the tape of the loss the loss to Guinea-Bissau.
In his words, “We know them, we played them in the qualifying series. They are a dangerous team if you let them play.”
Going memory lane, But Nigeria had a shock 1-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2023 AFCON qualifying, group stage last year, but the Super Eagles coach, José Peseiro said that was the past, stressing that they are focusing on the present.
“What matters is the present. We focus on the present and the future. We have confidence in ourselves. We are aiming for first place which is also occupied by Equatorial Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire, it is up to us to remain vigilant,” Peseiro said.
For defender, Kenneth Omeruo, the team’s sole objective is to win the AFCON trophy in Ivory Coast.
Omeruo said, “Our objective is clear. Bring the cup home. It’s been a while since we added a trophy to our cabinet which is not acceptable when you’re wearing the green shirt.”
“I will not say that our defeat against them was accidental, but it does not reflect the spirit which reigns in our camp today. We are hungry for victory, it’s up to us to put everything in place to achieve our ambitions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast will also be looking for a win at all cost after their 1-0 loss to Nigeria. The host will take on Equatorial Guinea on Monday, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe as the Elephants seek to get three points to advance to the competition’s knockout stages.
Both Group A matches will be played simultaneously at 6pm (Nigerian time) and will hold a lot of suspense for AFCON fans.
