2019 AFCON: Nigeria Opens Title Chase Against Minnows Burundi
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Super Eagles of Nigeria have a date with history as they return to ply their trade on the continental stage after a six-year absence.
As three-time champions of the continent, with their latest triumph coming in 2013, Nigeria failed to qualify for the last two editions held in 2015 and 2017.
And the challenge before them in today’s (Saturday) opening Africa Cup of Nations 2019 Group B tie is Burundi, considered by pundits as one of Africa’s soccer minnows.
Being the first ever meeting between the both countries, things could be very spicy as the Group B hostilities kick-off in the Mediterranean Port city of Alexandria
The encounter, slated for Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, will kick-off at 18:00 (West African Time) and the Coach Gernot Rohr’s men are indeed out to redeem their image after a poor World Cup outing last year where they were eliminated in the group stage.
The Eagles also failed to impress in the friendly matches just before the tournament. These include being held goalless by Zimbabwe in Asaba and suffering a 0-1 defeat against Senegal last weekend.
After missing out of two consecutive finals, the Eagles look well-equipped with their excellent mix of experienced and talented younger players to have a good run in the competition.
According to reports, the Eagles’ preparations have been disrupted by a bout of sickness in the build-up to the tournament with Ahmed Musa, Abdullahi Shehu and Leon Balogun among the players reported ill three days before the start of the tournament. Similarly, Oghenekaro Etebo and Chidozie Awaziem have just recovered from the sickness bug.
For the Swallows of Burundi, this will be their maiden participation on the grandest of continental stages. As debutants in the AFCON tournament, they have a tough job at hand after edging past Gabon to make the cut to Egypt during the qualifying round.
It is no doubt a massive task for the Olivier Niyungeko’s men if they are to make any progress further than the group phase. They have gone seven games without defeat, earning a couple of draws against Gabon and Mali, as well as holding Algeria.
The Swallows are in great form going by their impressive qualification for the AFCON tournament. Fiston Abdul Razak and Cedric Amissi are their biggest goal threats after scoring nine of their side’s 11 goals during the qualifying series.
Also, Saido Berahino is arguably the most well-known player in the Swallows’ squad. The former Premier League attacker has the opportunity to make himself a hero for his country in what is his first major international tournament.
In their head to head, there is no record as both sides will be trading tackles for the very first time in their soccer history.
POSSIBLE LINEUP:
NIGERIA – Uzoho; Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Collins; Ndidi, Obi Mikel, Etebo; Iwobi; Musa, Ighalo
BURUNDI – Ndikumana; Nsabiyumva, Amissi, Nduwarugira, Moussa; Kamsoba, Ngandu, Bigirimana, Berahino; Razak, Duhayindavyi – Goal.com
