Nigeria will entertain Burundi in the opening match in Group B of the Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) in Egypt the game will take place at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday.
TEAM NEWS:
NIGERIA:
The Super Eagles of Nigeria is prepared for this encounter as Gernot Rohr’s men are out to redeem their image after a poor World Cup outing last year where they crashed out in the group stage of the tournament.
Nigeria also failed to impress during the last couples of the friendly match played prior to the tournament when they were held by Zimbabwe and suffered a defeat against Senegal last weekend.
Nigeria is back at the finals after missing out on the last two editions in 2015 & 2017 and they look well-equipped to have a run deep in the tournament with a good mix of experienced and talented younger players in their squad.
Preparations have been affected by a sickness bug in their camp in the build-up to the tournament with Ahmed Musa, Abdullahi Shehu and Leon Balogun among the players that have reported ill three days before the start of the tournament, while Oghenekaro Etebo and Chidozie Awaziem have just recovered from the bug.
BURUNDI:
The Swallows in the War will make their debut in the AFCON against the three-time winner Nigeria after edging Gabon to make the cut to Egypt during the qualifying round.
Olivier Niyungeko’s have a massive task on their hands if they are to make it any further than the group phase.
Burundi has gone seven games without defeat having earned a couple of draws against Gabon and Mali, as well as holding Algeria.
They will be out to test their strength against Nigeria in the opener in Group B.
HEAD TO HEAD:
Nigeria and Burundi will be facing off for the first time in Saturday's clash at the Alexandria Stadium.
RECENT FORM:
NIGERIA:
The Super Eagles’ form might not too impressive especially in their last two friendly games, but they have what to takes to handle match like this, they know when to step up the game to meet expectations of the fans.
The team will rely on Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa to put the ball at the back of the net, Ighalo scored seven goals during their qualifying campaign and was the top scorer overall in 2019 AFCON qualifying.
BURUNDI:
The Swallows are in great form looking at the way the made it to the opening rounds of AFCON tournament, As for Burundi, Fiston Abdul Razak and Cedric Amissi are their biggest goal threats after scoring nine of their side's 11 goals during qualifying.
Saido Berahino is arguably the most well-known player in the Swallows' squad. The former Premier League attacker has the opportunity to make himself a hero for his country in what is his first major international tournament.
POSSIBLE LINEUP:
NIGERIA:
Uzoho; Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Collins; Ndidi, Obi Mikel, Etebo; Iwobi; Musa, Ighalo
BURUNDI:
Ndikumana; Nsabiyumva, Amissi, Nduwarugira, Moussa; Kamsoba, Ngandu, Bigirimana, Berahino; Razak, Duhayindavyi
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