AFCON last-16: Nigeria faces uphill task as showdown with Group C titans looms

Nigeria’s Super Eagles booked their place in the Round of 16 on Monday night at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast.

Jose Peseiro’s side defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0, thanks to an own goal from Opa Sangante in the first half.

The result means Nigeria finished in second position in Group A behind leaders, Equatorial Guinea, who thrashed the host nation Ivory Coast 4-0.

Nigeria will now face the second-place team in Group C in Round 16 on Saturday night.

DAILY POST reports that Senegal is currently at the top of Group C with six points, while Guinea is in second position with four points.

Cameroon has one point, while Gambia has lost all their matches so far.

The last fixtures in Group C will see Senegal tackle Guinea and Cameroon play Gambia.

Group C fixtures will take place on Tuesday evening.

This means Nigeria could face either Senegal, Guinea or Cameroon in the last-16 depending on the outcome of Group C final matches.

Nigeria have won two, lost one, and drawn one of their four matches against Senegal in the past.

The Super Eagles have won two, lost two and drew two out of the six matches they played against Guinea.

Against Cameroon, Nigeria has won four, lost two, and drawn one of the seven matches they played against the Indomitable Lions in the past.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Isa Saleh Sadiq, a football scout and the CEO of International Football Academy based in Northern Nigeria, gave his opinion regarding Nigeria’s possible next opponent in the AFCON last-16.

Sadiq also congratulated Peseiro’s men for making it to the knock-out stage but warned that they must step up their game when they face the likes of Senegal, Guinea or Cameroon in their next match.

“First and foremost, I congratulate the Super Eagles for making it to the round of 16.

“Surprisingly, Equatorial Guinea finished ahead of them in the Group. This tells you that there is no more pushover team in Africa.

“Just see what Equatorial Guinea did to the host country, Ivory Coast. They really humbled them in front of their home fans. They have sent a strong warning to other AFCON teams.”

Sadiq added, “To be honest, the Super Eagles need to step up their game in the last-16. If they fail to improve, especially in converting their chances in front of goal, I fear they won’t beat the likes of Senegal, Guinea or even Cameroon.”

“They need to improve in all departments. The midfield is still lacking creativity. Iwobi is trying, but he needs to do more. Osimhen needs to step up in the attack, or else Peseiro should try Moffi or Paul.

“The backline needs to be solid, also. The goalkeeper so far is not doing badly.

“In a nutshell, the team must know that in the knock-out stage, any mistake can send them back home. I wish them the best of luck in the last-16, and hopefully, they make it to the quarter-final,” he further stated.