As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers reach a climax, the stage is set for a pivotal Group A showdown between Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe at the revered Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 10, 2023.
This encounter carries substantial weight for both the Super Eagles and the Selecao as they conclude their qualifying journey.
Nigeria, the continent’s perennial football powerhouse, enters this contest with a commanding lead in Group A. Their path to the 2023 AFCON was sealed with a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Sierra Leone in June, marking a testament to their unwavering spirit and resolve. Trailing by two goals in that pivotal match, the Super Eagles scripted an inspiring comeback, sealed by Kelechi Iheanacho’s late heroics. This victory epitomized their ability to conquer adversity and reaffirmed their ambition to secure a place in Ivory Coast for the tournament.
In the qualifiers, Nigeria has been a dominant force, emerging victorious in four of their five matches. Their sole setback, a narrow 1-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau, merely underscores their overall dominance within the group. With aspirations of clinching their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title and their first since 2013, the Super Eagles consistently display their on-field prowess.
Nigeria’s resurgence is notably marked by their win over Guinea-Bissau, where Moses Simon’s first-half penalty proved pivotal. This win snapped a streak of five consecutive defeats in all competitions, rekindling confidence as they head towards the continental championship.
The Super Eagles find themselves atop Group A with a comfortable seven-point lead over third-placed Sierra Leone, securing their place in the 2023 AFCON ahead of most. Their immediate goal now is to conclude the group stage on a high note, building momentum for the upcoming tournament.
Contrastingly, Sao Tome & Principe’s journey in this qualifying campaign has been an arduous one. Occupying the bottom spot in Group A, their lone solace is a single draw, achieved in a thrilling 2-2 clash against Sierra Leone. Defensive frailty has plagued Adriano Eusebio’s men, with an astonishing 20 goals conceded in just five matches. These defensive struggles have primarily contributed to their challenging campaign.
The Selecao approach this fixture without a win in their last 17 games across all competitions, underscoring their recent woes. Their most recent triumph dates back to March 2016, a victory over Libya in the AFCON qualifiers. Sao Tome & Principe yearn to end their winless streak, aiming to conclude their qualifying journey on a positive note.
In terms of form, Nigeria boasts a WWLWW record in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while their overall form in all competitions has improved, resulting in a sequence of LLLWW. Sao Tome & Principe’s form in the AFCON qualifiers stands at LLDLL, mirroring their overall struggles, which manifest as LLLDLL.
Turning to team news, Nigeria’s squad comprises 23 players, featuring luminaries like Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, and skipper William Troost-Ekong. Taiwo Awoniyi, in remarkable form with a goal involvement in eight consecutive Premier League matches, has earned a deserved call-up. Notably, Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most-capped player, and other prominent figures such as Zaidu Sanusi and the recovering Alex Iwobi have been omitted. Fresh faces in the Super Eagles squad include center-back Jordan Torunarigha and attacking talents Victor Boniface and Gift Orban, poised for potential debuts.
On the Sao Tome & Principe side, coach Adriano Eusebio has named a 21-man roster, featuring stalwarts like goalkeeper Pedro Mateus, midfielder Denilson Silva, and Luis Leal, the Selecao’s all-time top scorer. Leal is anticipated to spearhead the attack alongside Ebanilson Viegas and Marcos Barbeiro.
The envisioned starting lineups for the match are as follows:
Nigeria:
Uzhoho; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Onyeka, Ndidi, Aribo; Chukwueze, Iheanacho, Osimhen
Sao Tome & Principe:
Mendes; Fernandes, Varela, Ramos, Soares; Santos, Silva, Selemane; Leal, Viegas, Barbeiro
This encounter promises to deliver an enthralling spectacle, pitting a resurgent Nigerian side against a Sao Tome & Principe outfit eager to salvage pride in the face of daunting challenges. Football enthusiasts can anticipate a captivating showdown at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, where both teams aspire to etch their names in the annals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
