THE Super Eagles are seeking to consolidate on their top position in Group A of the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they host Guinea-Bissau in Abuja today.
The three-time African champions lead the group with six points and could be five points clear by the end of proceedings at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium this evening, with kick-off set for 5pm.
Having had their worst AFCON outing in decades at the last edition in Cameroon last year, when they crashed out in the second round, the Super Eagles are keen to return to a tournament in which they are always expected to reach at least the semi-finals.
To earn their ticket back to the continental showpiece, back-to-back victories in the double-header against Guinea-Bissau will be enough for the Super Eagles.
With a full complement of the 23 invited players available to head coach Jose Peseiro, the Eagles are confident of success today and in the reverse fixture in Bissau on Monday.
The Super Eagles certainly have the players that can do damage to the Djurtus.
Overall top scorer in the qualifying campaign with five goals, Victor Osimhen, is in spectacular form for Napoli in Italy, where fellow forward Ademola Lookman has also been impressive for Atalanta.
Alex Iwobi has been an ever-present in the Everton team this season, while Zaidu Sanusi at Porto, Moses Simon at Nantes, Samuel Chukwueze at Villarreal and Terem Moffi at Nice have all had decent campaigns.
Osimhen, who has scored 21 Serie A goals this season, has promised that the Super Eagles will be all out for victory while not being complacent against their fellow West Africans.
“We are looking forward to it, and I’m happy to be back with the squad,” Osimhen, who missed the last few Nigeria matches due to injury, said in his match preview.
“We expect amazing results from the two games against Guinea-Bissau. We are ready, and the spirit is high.
“We won’t underrate Guinea-Bissau; we’ll give them the respect they deserve.”
Lookman, whose 12 Serie A goals are the most in the Atalanta squad, sees the match as “another big opportunity to get closer to the AFCON dream”.
The former Leicester City star added: “We’re looking forward to another big game in out qualification for AFCON. It’s nice to score goals in the league and I hope to take that into the national team.
“Obviously, winning the game is most important and that’s what we aim to do against Guinea-Bissau.”
The Djurtus landed in Nigeria on Wednesday and their head coach Baciro Conde promised to give the Super Eagles a tough time.
While the Super Eagles are on top with six points, Guinea-Bissau have four, while Sierra Leone are third with two. Sao Tome and Principe earned their first point on Wednesday with a 2-2 draw against the Leone Stars.
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