Super Eagles of Nigeria face Guinea on Tuesday in their third and last group game knowing only a clear win can guarantee them a place in the quarter finals of the championship.
Group C is absolutely wide open and no team is guaranteed a passage to the next round till proceedings end in the two crucial games.
Syli Stars of Guinea will not be easy opponents to deal with. They are second in group C without a loss, shocking Tunisia with their surprise comeback in the first game and drawing two all with the unfancied Niger Republic in their second game. They will fancy their chances against Nigeria.
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The Eagles must, of course, be very wary of Guinea’s strikers. The Guineans have players who are deadly on the break and are most dangerous when their backs are turned to the wall.
Camara scored a brace in the game against Tunisia when the North Africans thought they had the three points in the bag, the back-breaking goal coming in the 83rd minute. Silya and Banfoura salvaged a draw in the game against Niger and the Stars will surely punish the Eagles defence if they get complacent.
However, Guinea will have challenges of their own dealing with a Nigerian team that is getting stronger and more confident. If Chisom Chikatara is fit to start, Guinea will be severely tested but Tunde Adeniji is gearing up to replace him. Usman Mohammed has declared himself fit to start but the team officials will have to decide on that, plus there are enough capable replacements.
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Victory of any margin guarantees the Eagles a quarter-final position where they will face the second-placed team in Group D, but a draw will also see them qualify. If Tunisia wins with a big scoreline, a Super Eagles win guarantees second place.
Coach Mohammed Bangoura of Guinea knows this is a winner-takes-all and Eagles will need to fight till the end. Eagles defence can also not get complacent as striker Alseny Camara is as dangerous as Chikatara.
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