Nigeria play host to Cape Verde on Tuesday knowing that a draw will be enough to secure their progress through to the next round of World Cup qualifying. However, it will be the visitors who prevail from Group C if they can upset their more illustrious opponents in Lagos.
Match Preview
Given the quality within their ranks, Gernot Rohr would have expected Nigeria to have already qualified for the final 10 with one match to spare.
However, the late 1-0 defeat at home to Central African Republic on matchday three meant that there was no leeway for complacency after opening the group with two victories.
Nigeria have since recorded another six points to remain ahead of their next opponents, but the stakes are still higher than what they probably should have been ahead of the closing 90 minutes.
On the face of it, defeating Liberia by a 2-0 scoreline on Saturday looks a comfortable win, yet Nigeria were reliant on penalties from Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Musa.
The former now has three goals for the campaign, stepping up to the mark at a time when Kelechi Iheanacho has not netted since the start of the campaign. While the Super Eagles are the clear favourites to progress on Tuesday, it would be naive to write off the chances of Cape Verde.
Since their 2-1 reverse against Nigeria in September, they have posted three successive victories, each by a one-goal margin to highlight their strength of character.
Bubista's team came from behind to prevail from two of those fixtures, performances which have kept their dream of a first-ever World Cup Finals alive.
SEE ALSO: Full Prediction Article for Todays Matches.
Goals have been shared around the Cape Verde squad with only Julio Tavares netting twice in Group C.
Nigeria in World Cup Qualifying - Africa form winning 4 matches out of 5.
Nigeria form (all competitions) winning 4 matches out of 6.
Cape Verde in World Cup Qualifying - Africa form winning 3 matches, 1 tie out of 5.
Cape Verde form (all competitions) winning 3 matches, 1 tie out of 6.
Teams News
Rohr is unlikely to make any major alterations to his Nigeria XI after their victory over Liberia. Chidera Ejuke replaced Alex Iwobi shortly after the hour mark of that game and appears most likely to be drafted into the side off the substitutes' bench.
Musa is also pushing to get the nod over Iheanacho having contributed during his cameo outing last time out. Bubista will take a similar approach to his opposite number, potentially making just the one change to his Cape Verde side. Willy Semedo could get the nod over Dylan Tavares after replacing him at half time versus Central African Republic.
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Collins, Awaziem; Ndidi, Aribo; Iwobi, Simon, Iheanacho; Osimhen
Cape Verde possible starting lineup:
Rosa; Stopira, Lopes, Furtado; Fortes, Semedo, Borges, Monteiro; Santos, Mendes; J. Tavares
Prediction
Baboyo says: Nigeria vs Cape Verde - x1
Having kept themselves in contention against the odds, Cape Verde will be prepared to give everything on Tuesday. However, it may not be enough against a strong Nigeria team, who we expect to prevail relatively comfortably over the 90 minutes.
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Source: SportsMole.
