The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their AFCON 2024 Group C campaign with a clash against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday. The three time Champions are looking to earn their first title in over a decade having last triumphed with the Stephen Keshi led side back in 2013. At the last edition of the tournament, the Eagles kept a 100% group stage record, beating Egypt, Guinea Bissau and Sudan, to finish as Group Winners. However, they were knocked out at the last 16 stage following a 1-0 loss to Tunisia. Since then, the West Africans have been rejigging their squad to become as competitive as they were before.
Having failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Qatar, the Eagles will be keen on getting their AFCON campaign off to a winning start as it could boost their hopes of going all the way in the competition. They head into this tie on the back of a 2-0 loss to Guinea in an international friendly. That game further created more questions about gaffer Jose Peseiro and the tactics he intends to deploy when the tournament gets underway. It also compounded the form of the team as they are now without a win in all competitions since beating Mozambique 3-2 last October. This tournament is a chance for Peseiro to win the hearts of Nigerian fans who have been left frustrated by the poor performances of the team in recent games.
For Equatorial Guinea, they are back to the continental showpiece after their two previous appearances in 2012 and 2015 when they featured as hosts. Here, they face a relatively tough opposition as they have to get favourable results against much experienced sides like hosts Ivory Coast and first group phase opponents Nigeria. Unlike the Eagles, Equatorial Guinea boasts of a good run of form heading into this tie with 4 wins and 3 draws in their last 7 matches. They will be hoping to build on this form and begin the tournament on a positive note.
Nigeria Team News
The Super Eagles have a strong, expensive and experienced squad going into this tournament with the current African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen, expected to lead the line and replicate his goal scoring form during the qualifiers. The Napoli man will also be looking to edge his name in the history books following in the footsteps of great players like Rasheed Yekini and co. Unfortunately, the Eagles have been dealt a blow by the injury suffered by Leverkusen man Victor Boniface. Nevertheless, they have called up Nice striker Terem Moffi as a replacement. Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi will be missing in action and Alhassan Yusuf has been called up as his replacement.
Possible Line up
Uzoho, Awaziem, Omeruo, Bassey, Sanusi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Aribo, Simon, Osimhen, Moffi
Equatorial Guinea Team News
Although they are relatively unknown compared to the Nigerian side, the Elephants also have some talented players who can go up against some of the shining stars of various leagues in Europe. Nsue is certainly a guy who can trouble even the best of defenders on his own.
Possible Line up
Owono, Akapo, Orozco, Ndong, Ganet, Bikoro, Salvador, Machin, Pepin, Nsue, Miranda
Equatorial Guinea Vs Nigeria Predictions
Both sides have met three times with Nigeria emerging victorious in all three. The last time both sides met was in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament set aside for home based players in Africa. At the time, the home based Super Eagles won 3-1. While the current Super Eagles have loads of issues to sort out especially at the back and goal keeping department, the players in their roster and the kind of experience they bring to the table makes this an uphill battle for Equatorial Guinea.
Betting tips DC X2 & Under 3.5 Goals
The best of African football is upon us as teams go head to head and jostle for the continent’s most coveted prize in men’s football. This is certainly going to be a thrilling contest as both sides hope to begin their campaign on a promising note. Given Nigeria’s better said quality and Equatorial Guinea’s seemingly good record defensively looking at their last three games, we are expecting Nigeria to win or draw with less than four goals scored.