Preview: Guinea-Bissau vs. Nigeria - prediction, team news, lineups

Nigeria will be looking to maintain their perfect record at the Africa Cup of Nations when they face Guinea-Bissau at the Roumde Adjia Stadium on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the game is a must-win for the Djurtus, who face the risk of elimination after picking up just one point from their opening two games.

Match preview

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Guinea-Bissau suffered a huge blow to their chances of reaching the round of 16 as they fell to a slender 1-0 loss against Egypt last Saturday.

After putting on a defensive show of class for most of the game, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah came up trumps for the Pharaohs as he scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute.

Prior to that, Baciro Cande's men were held to an uneventful goalless draw by a resilient Sudan side when they locked horns at the Roumde Adjia Stadium last Tuesday.

The Djurtus now need a win to keep their slim qualification hopes alive as they are currently level on one point with Sudan and two behind second-placed Egypt.

However, Guinea-Bissau head into Wednesday's game in poor form as they have failed to win any of their last six games in all competitions, picking up three draws and losing three, while failing to score in all six outings.

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Meanwhile, Nigeria became the latest side to qualify for the knockout stages, joining host nation Cameroon and 1976 champions Morocco, after they eased to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Sudan.

In a one-sided affair, Samuel Chukwueze and Taiwo Awoniyi scored to hand the Super Eagles a two-goal lead heading into half time, and after Moses Simon netted shortly after the break, Walieldin Khidir pulled one back for the Falcons of Jediane as he converted his 70th-minute penalty.

Prior to that, Augustine Eguavoen's men got their tournament off to a brilliant start as they saw off fellow group favourites Egypt 1-0 thanks to a 30th-minute strike from Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

Nigeria head into Wednesday's game unbeaten in each of their last five games across all competitions, picking up four wins and one draw since November's shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Central African Republic.

The Super Eagles will now look to keep the juggernaut rolling and make it three wins from their opening three AFCON games for the first time since 2006, when they defeated Senegal, Zimbabwe and Ghana in Group D.

Team News

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Guinea-Bissau will be boosted by the return of Jonas Mendes and Jorginho, who were in action against Egypt last time out after missing the opening game against Sudan through COVID-19.

However, goalkeeper Maurice Gomis and 30-year-old forward Joseph Mendes will play no part in Wednesday's game as they are in isolation after recently testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, having already secured their place in the round of 16, Eguavoen could make a few changes down the spine of the team, with key players like Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo and Moses Simon given breathers.

While we expect to see an unchanged backline, Huesca midfielder Kelechi Nwakali could earn his first starting role after two decent cameos off the bench in the first two games.

Further up the pitch, Ahmed Musa made his first appearance at the tournament when he came on as a 65th-minute substitute against Sudan last time out and the veteran forward could come in for his first starting appearance.

Guinea-Bissau possible starting lineup:
Mendes; Cande, Mane, Sangante, Encada; Cassama, Nogueira; Pele, Piqueti, Ambri, Balde

Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Sanusi; Nwakali, Onyeka; Chukweze, Iheanacho, Musa; Awoniyi

We say: Guinea-Bissau 0-2 Nigeria

Nigeria have been one of the most dominant sides at the tournament and will look to sound their name as genuine title contenders by picking up three wins from their opening three games. While we expect Guinea-Bissau to put up a valiant fight, we anticipate the Super Eagles will come out victorious in this one.

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