The State of Play
Nigeria were third-place finishers in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but will be looking to add a fourth title in the 2023 edition of this tournament. Jose Peseiro of Portugal leads the Super Eagles, who have plenty to big names across Europe to call upon. Not least Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who helped lead the Serie A outfit to a historic Scudetto in 2022-23. Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan could be another big player for Nigeria, as could the likes of Alex Iwobi in midfield and Calvin Bassey at the centre of defence.
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Equatorial Guinea are previous semi-finalists at the Africa Cup of Nations and reached the quarter-finals in Cameroon two years back, which underlines the threat they pose in Group A and why they must be taken seriously. Head coach Juan Micha knows his players inside out having already coached at U17 and U20 level for Equatorial Guinea and is well-equipped to deal with the challenge.
Team News
The Super Eagles are without striker Victor Boniface through injury, a huge blow when taking into account his form this season for club side Bayer Leverkusen. Taiwo Awoniyi and Wilfred Ndidi are also missing with Terem Moffi and Alhassan Yusuf called-up as replacements. Peseiro also has a big decision to make regarding who starts in goal between Stanley Nwabili or Francis Uzoho.
Veteran Emilio Nsue leads this young Equatorial Guinean side, who will rely on both him and Pablo Ganet in midfield to guide the lesser-experienced players. Goalkeeper Owono will also be crucial when taking into account his exploits at the 2021 AFCON.
Expected Line-ups
Nigeria: Uzoho; Aina, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Chukwueze, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman; Iheanacho, Osimhen
Equatorial Guinea: Owono; Akapo, Fernandez, Coco, Ndong; Bikoro, Ganet; Salvador, Machin, Miranda; Nsue
What they Said
Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro on who he plans to select between the sticks for his side’s opening match: “I don’t say for anyone who’s in the first XI. Against Equatorial Guinea, in that moment I decide, I know in my head but in that moment, I will reveal it to everybody.”
When and How to Watch
The game at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium will kick off at 14:00 on Sunday January 14th and will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. Subscribers to Sky Sports can alternately stream the game online via the ‘Sky Go’ app.
Prediction
Head coach Jose Peseiro will not only demand that his Nigerian side claim an important victory here against Equatorial Guinea, he’ll want them to do so in commanding fashion and send out a warning shot to the rest of Nigeria’s AFCON competitors in the process. Even without the services of Boniface upfront, the Super Eagles are spoiled for choice when it comes to their attacking options and in Napoli star Osimhen, have arguably the most dangerous out-and-out striker competing at the tournament. Such offensive firepower should overwhelm the Equatorial Guinean backline over 90 minutes and see Nigeria ultimately come out on top in this encounter by three goals to nil.
