The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be looking to clinch a Round of 16 spot at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they pay against Guinea in their second match in Group B on Tuesday.
In their first Group game against Burundi, the three-time African champions took 77 minutes to find a way through, with Odion Ighalo’s composed finish proving the difference between the sides at the Alexandria Stadium.
Gernot Rohr admitted after the match that his side were made to “suffer” by Burundi, and next up is what should be an even tougher game against a Guinea side ranked 63 places better off than the Super Eagles’ previous opponents in the FIFA rankings.
Going into the game, the team has suffered a setback as a bonus row took center stage in the camp on Tuesday which resulted in the players not attending the press conference earlier in the day. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have played it down, saying it would be sorted out before the Wednesday.
Guinea on their part, came away from their Group B opener against Madagascar with a point that boss Paul Put described as “disappointing” after throwing away a one-goal lead at the Alexandria Stadium.
Put has called on his players to cut out the sloppy errors if they are to have any chance of claiming a positive result against Nigeria, knowing that defeat to the Super Eagles and victory for Madagascar over Burundi will see his side drop to third.
Guinea are now winless in their last six games in the Africa Cup of Nations, drawing four of those. Their last success in the competition came back in 2012 against Botswana.
Five of Guinea’s last ten goals in the competition have been scored following set-piece situations, including a couple of penalties, and if they are to have any hope of making it to the latter stages they need to start creating from open play.
Coaches:
• Gernot Rohr (Nigeria)
• Paul Put (Guniea)
Head to Head: Nigeria and Guinea have only met once before at the Africa Cup of Nations – a 1-1 group-stage draw in March 1976.
The Super Eagles are winless in their last four meetings with Guinea in all competitions after losing none of the previous eight.
Not since October 2011 have the sides met, with Victor Obinna and Ikechukwu Uche scoring for Nigeria in a 2-2 draw.
Date, Time and Venue of the match:
- June 26th, 2019
- 3:30pm (Nigerian time)
- Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt.
