AFCON 2019: Nigeria seek knockout spot from Guinea

Nigeria have a last-16 spot in their sights as they take on Guinea in their second Group B outing at the Africa Cup of Nations.

A late 1-0 win over tournament debutants Burundi in their opener leaves the Super Eagles in a strong position ahead of their encounter with Guinea, who drew 2-2 with Madagascar last time out.

That victory made it five wins in a row in the Africa Cup of Nations – their longest-ever streak in the competition.

The Eagles have not conceded more than one goal in any of those five wins, are now expected to get the job done against Guinea today, taking off the pressure for their final group match against Madagascar.

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Guinea 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.

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.

 

TABLE: 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.

Nigeria possible starting lineup:

Akpeyi; Awaziem, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Aina, Ndidi, Etebo, Chukwueze, Mikel, Iwobi, Ighalo

Guinea possible starting lineup:

Aly Keita; Dyrestam, Jeanvier, Falette, Sylla, Diawara, Traore, Cisse, Naby Keita, Kamano, Kaba