Nigeria are through to the next round after collecting maximum points in their opening two matches at the AFCON 2021. After wins over Egypt and Sudan in Group D, they will hope to finish on a perfect run when they face Guinea-Bissau on Match Day 3. Guinea-Bissau have one point, ahead of this game, after drawing with Sudan in their opening game. In their second game, they did well to resist for the better part of the match but suffered a 1-0 loss to Egypt. That was the sixth straight game for Guinea-Bissau without scoring. The game against Nigeria is a must-win clash for Guinea-Bissau if they want to advance. Their biggest problem is that they’ve never won an AFCON game, and in their last 13 matches across all competitions, they have just three wins.
Nigeria have emerged as serious title contenders and enter this game on six points, one of the few nations with two wins from the opening two games. We definitely expected a change in the team to face Guinea-Bissau as plans for the second round start. They are coming from a 3-1 win over Sudan, having earlier beaten Egypt 1-0 and in terms of confidence, Nigeria will be much settled. They have four wins in five matches and have only lost twice in the last 16 AFCON matches. There’s a very big imbalance between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau and fortunes have favored Nigeria more in their recent matches. The only goals they’ve conceded in this competition was from the penalty spot, and in the last five matches they have led at half time in four. The Super Eagles are definitely expected to dominate this game.
Nigeria have already secured a place in the next round and will be looking to rest key players for the tougher matches ahead. Still they will have a strong team to take on Guinea-Bissau, who don’t have a very good run in AFCON matches but are under pressure to win here. Guinea-Bissau missed their chance at three points in the Sudan game and facing African giants, Egypt and Nigeria was always going to be tough. Back Nigeria to win both halves in this game.