The Super Eagles, who are favourites to top Group A, kicked off their qualification campaign with a 2-1 victory against Sierra Leone in their last match.
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Sao Tome & Principe will host Nigeria in a Group A match of the AFCON qualifiers on Monday. The hosts are aiming for their first ever participation in the continental tournament but didn’t have a great beginning, losing 5-1 to Guinea-Bissau on Thursday’s group opener. While the Super Eagles, who are favourites to top the group, kicked off their qualification campaign with a 2-1 victory against Sierra Leone in their last match. After the first round of fixtures, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau occupy top spot with three points each while the Falcons are at the rock bottom. Meanwhile this will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Training at the Stade Adrar, Agadir, Morocco ahead of the #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 vs São Tomé & Principe. #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/VXDDrrpqfQ
— ?? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 12, 2022
Sao Tome & Principe, who are ranked 183rd in the FIFA rankings, began their quest for a first ever AFCON appearance with a humiliating loss to Guinea-Bissau. Djurtus netted five times courtesy of a brace from Zinho Ghano while Alfa Semedo, Zidane Banjaqui and Jorginho scored one goal each. The Falcons scored a consolation goal through Edmilson Viegas. Sao Tome & Principe have now lost their last 13 games across all competitions, including each of their six matches in the 2022 AFCON qualifiers. Adriano Eusebio’s side last tasted victory way back in 2016, when they got the better of Libya 2-1 courtesy of Luis Leal’s brace.
Nigeria, on the other hand, came from behind to earn three points against the Lone Stars in their last outing. Alex Iwobi canceled out Jonathan Morsay’s opener before Napoli-man Victor Osimhen scored the winner five minutes from break. It was the Super Eagles’ first win in their last six matches. A five-game winless run saw them missing out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Meanwhile Jose Peseiro’s side has struggled away from home off late, having picked up one draw and two defeats in their last three away games.
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Sao Tome & Principe striker Viegas, who found the back of the net against Guinea-Bissau, is expected to start the match on Monday. The 25-year-old could be joined in the final third by Valter Rocha and Leal. As for Nigeria, former Everton-man Iwobi should retain his place in attack alongside Joe Aribo. Osimhen will lead the attack with Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon operating down the flanks.
Sao Tome & Principe probable starting lineup: Braganca, Soares, I Viegas, Prequeno, Nazare, Neves, Aldair, Tinho, E Viegas, Rocha, Leal.
Nigeria probable starting lineup: Uzoho, Aina, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aribo, Etebo, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Simon
The 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Sao Tome & Principe and Nigeria will take place at the Stade Adrar and it will kickoff at 6:30 pm IST on June 13, Sunday.
A selection of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be telecast live on beIN SPORTS.
