Guinea-Bissau seek to avoid a fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations group stage exit when they take on Nigeria at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday.
Djurtus cannot end in the automatic qualification spots after losing to Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea but could progress as one of the best third-placed sides by defeating unbeaten Nigeria in the final round of matches in Group A.
Guinea-Bissau’s AFCON 2023 prospects appear bleak after losing 4-2 to in-form Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Baciro Cande’s men are not only bottom of Group A, but a -4 goal difference potentially complicates progress in the event of defeating the Super Eagles on Monday.
Despite participating at three AFCONs before this year’s finals, Djurtus have never played a fourth game at the Cup of Nations, and only a win over Jose Peseiro’s men would give them a chance of turning the tide.
Strikingly, Guinea-Bissau defeated the three-time African champions in qualifying, claiming a shock 1-0 win at the home of the giants in March 2023, and a repeat would be just what the doctor ordered.
Having rued his team’s profligate finishing before the Equatoguineans seized control in Thursday’s loss, Cande hopes a repeat is avoided against Nigeria to have any hope of playing in the round of 16.
As for the Super Eagles, the three-time winners must not rest on their laurels heading into Monday’s decisive encounter to secure qualification.
Defeating Ivory Coast 1-0 in front of a partisan crowd has put Peseiro’s men in the driver’s seat, as four points should be enough to ensure passage to the first knockout round.
The Portuguese tactician surprised observers and the host nation with a tactical alteration from a 4-2-3-1 to a 5-4-1 on Thursday, and it remains to be seen if the trainer retains the same approach in their final Group A game.
While victory could seal top spot for the Super Eagles, the African giants must find their scoring boots, having squandered a glut of high-value chances in the draw with Equatorial Guinea and even despite success against the Elephants.
Be that as it may, the team’s evident defensive solidity stands them in good stead in tournament football as they look to defeat a side they beat 2-0 at AFCON 2021.
