2023 AFCON Qualifiers: Nigeria Struggle Past Guinea-Bissau

• Nick 1-0 sweet revenge inside Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro
• Permutations heighten enroute Cote D’Ivoire spectacle
• Next round of matches hold June 1-13; September 4, 2023

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – After struggling to a 1-0 away victory over the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau on Monday, football pundits are now looking at the worrying scenario for the Super Eagles to cross the line and berth in Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament now in its 34th edition.

Bouncing back from last Friday’s embarrassing home defeat by Guinea-Bissau, the Nigerian National team floundered again while beating the same opponents as Moses Simon scored the match only goal from the penalty spot.

Hardly anything to cheer about on the night, the three times African champions were unconvincing in their display though the victory has still taken them above Guinea-Bissau as the Group A leaders.

However, for the Jose Peseiro’s side, the permutations on what should be done to confirm their place at the Nations Cup finals include having to beat their next two opponents, Sierra Leone

Interestingly, the Leone Stars have been a bogey team for Nigeria in the past, but the Super Eagles Nigeria clearly know that one more victory would confirm their place among the competition’s elite group.

They can’t be caught napping by Sao Tome and Principe, so victory over Sierra Leone in their next group game in June would take them out of reach of the Leone Stars and secured their place at the tournament.

On the other hand, a draw with Sierra Leone would also be good enough to guarantee the Super Eagles their place in the Ivory Coast, demonstrating just how strong the West Africans’ position is as the curtains on the qualifiers draw to a close

The Eagles are currently on nine points, four ahead of Sierra Leone, and would retain that advantage with only one more match to play if they hold off their old foes in their next competitive fixture.

But to be in a doubly sure position, the Eagles must make no mistake by beating Sao Tome, knowing that victory over have tiny nation at home in their final game should give them some comfort heading into the bout with Sierra Leone.

The Jose Peseiro’s troops, having already walloped Sao Tome and Principe 10—0 in their first leg meeting would be conscious that victory in the reverse fixture would ultimately take them to 12 points, an unassailable tally for Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone to match going forward.