Super Eagles of Nigeria strkier Victor Osimhen has promised the team will ‘do their best to win’ vs Guinea Bissau in their last group game of the 2023 AFCON.
After securing a 1-0 victory against tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire in their second game of the competition, Jose Peseiro’s team is set to face Guinea-Bissau at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Monday, January 22, 2024.
While Guinea-Bissau is on the brink of elimination from the tournament after facing defeats in their other two group A games against Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea, Osimhen has urged caution and a focused approach to the upcoming match, stressing the Eagles will not underestimate any team but do their best to win.
“We aim for a strong performance against Guinea-Bissau. They will undoubtedly approach the game with determination, and we won’t underestimate any team, considering what they’ve done to qualify,” reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen said in his post-match comments after conquering Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.
Also, Osimhen spoke of Nigeria’s familiarity with Guinea-Bissau, having faced them over two-legs in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification run, where results were mixed.
He added “We met them in the qualifiers and know how strong they are. They defeated us at home, while we also beat them away. So, we are expecting a tough game against them. We will do our best to win.”
While Nigeria will qualify for the knockout round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a win or draw, a defeat may not be fatal with four best third place teams a possibility for the Eagles.
Guinea Bissau on their part still have a slim chance of qualifying from group A. This hangs on their ability to beat Nigeria by not less than 4-5 goals while praying for Cote d’Ivoire to lose vs Equatorial Guinea to be considered among the best third place teams.