Even Though They’re Dangerous, We Will Beat Guinea-Bissau for Nigerians — Osimhen
With four points secured and holding the second position in Group A just behind Equatorial Guinea based on goal difference, Nigeria aims to conclude their group stage campaign on a high note as the leaders at the 2023 AFCON on Monday.
The advice from both former players and fans is cautionary, urging the Super Eagles to approach their upcoming match against Guinea-Bissau with care, as reported by The Punch.
The Super Eagles are set to face the bottom-placed team at the Stade Félix Houphoüet-Boigny in Abidjan, requiring a victory to claim the top spot in the table. This hinges on Equatorial Guinea’s inability to defeat Ivory Coast in the group’s other final game.
Following a 1-1 draw in their initial match against Equatorial Guinea, Jose Peseiro’s team rebounded with a spirited 1-0 triumph over hosts Ivory Coast, whereas Guinea-Bissau, their opponents today, suffered defeats in both of their matches and have been eliminated from the tournament.
During the qualifiers for the 2023 AFCON, Guinea-Bissau surprised the Eagles with a 1-0 victory in Abuja. Eighteen players who were part of that defeat on March 24, 2023, including Osimhen, are now with the team in Ivory Coast, seeking redemption against Baciro Cande’s coached team.
Eagles striker Victor Osimhen expressed the team’s commitment to reviewing the footage of their previous loss to Guinea-Bissau and formulating a strategy to secure victory against their fellow West Africans.
“We know them; we played them in the qualifying series. They are a dangerous team if you let them play,” Osimhen told reporters in Abidjan
READ ALSO: AFCON: Mane Scores as Senegal Defeat Cameroon 3-1 to Secure Spot in Last Sixteen
“I think we’ll go back to the last game in which they won, and then we’ll start the game and come up really strong against them. It’s not going to be an easy game, but we’re ready to give everything for our fans and country to make them happy.”
Midfielder Alex Iwobi echoed Osimhen’s commitment to wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the fans, assuring that the Eagles are determined to secure a victory to bring joy to the Nigerian people.
“The sort of players we have will always create chances, and we were able to get one against Ivory Coast and if we are able to get at least one and defend well, we’ll win the game (against G-Bissau).
“Nigerians aren’t happy if you don’t win; for them to be happy, you have to win, so we are going to win to make them happy,” he said in an interview with journalist Osasu Obayiuwana on Sunday.
“We want to take the first place and for that, we must do battle. We must do what is necessary to accomplish our mission,” Eagles coach Jose Peseiro said at the pre-match conference at the Palais de la Culture in the Treichville area of Abidjan on Sunday.
Meanwhile, there have been reactions back home, ahead of the crucial tie.
Ex-international Tijanii Babangida, an AFCON finalist on home soil in 2000, said, “Any of the three teams among Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast can qualify. So, the win is important, but they must know there are no pushovers. It’s a competitive game, and I expect them to grow in every game, regardless of the fact that they have won against us before.”
“I know we are going to play with caution, and again, if we could beat Ivory Coast, the morale is high, but I know they will play with caution because we have a lot of experienced players in the team. So, it will be very good for them to top the group,” 2013 AFCON winner, Azubuike Egwwuekwe, noted.
Going by the Eagles inconsistent run under Peseiro, some fans are wary of the Wild Dogs.
“Let’s not underestimate a wounded team, besides, we don’t have to be in a hurry to win. Let’s calm down, hold the ball and the opportunities will come,” a fan, Adetuwo Suji, said.
