As Nigeria’s Super Eagles get set to take on the Nzalang of Equatorial Guinea in Group A Completesports.com’s JAMES AGBEREBI gives five reasons why Jose Peseiro’s men must be wary of the football minnows.
– EQUATORIAL GUINEA HAVE BEATEN SOME HEAVYWEIGHTS IN AFCON
Despite just three appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea have defeated some of heavyweights in the competition.
In their first appearance in 2012, Equatorial Guinea beat current AFCON champions Senegal 2-1 in the group stage.
As host in 2015, they came from a goal down to beat Tunisia 2-1 after extra-time to advance into the semi-finals.
Also at the 2021 edition, Equatorial Guinea beat Algeria 1-0 in the group stage before sending Mali home in the round of 16 after edging them on penalties.
– EQUATORIAL GUINEA HAVE NEVER CRASHED OUT IN GROUP STAGE AT AFCON
The Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea have only made three appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Their first-ever appearance was as co-hosts with Gabon in 2012, in 2015 when they hosted the tournament and also at the 2021 edition in Cameroon.
In all the three tournaments they have participated in, Equatorial Guinea always make it out of the group stage.
In 2012 they got to the quarter-finals, on home soil in 2015 they finished fourth and ended at the quarter-finals stage in 2021.
Also Read: AFCON 2023: We Can Beat Super Eagles — Equatorial Guinea Boss Micha
– EQUATORIAL GUINEA WERE UNBEATEN THROUGHOUT 2023
Equatorial Guinea went throughout 2023 without losing a single game, recording five wins and two draws in seven games.
Among the countries who fell to Equatorial Guinea in 2023 was Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.
On their part, the Super Eagles suffered just one loss in 2023, recorded four wins and three draws.
– EQUATORIAL GUINEA ARE UNBEATEN IN 10 CONSECUTIVE GAMES
Heading into Sunday’s Group A clash with the Super Eagles, Equatorial Guinea are unbeaten in 10 consecutive games.
The last time Equatorial Guinea last suffered defeat was against Cameroon (2-0) on 9 September 2022.
Since the loss to Cameroon, the Nzalang Nacional have secured five wins and five draws.
– DEFENSIVELY SOLID
Equatorial Guinea have shown that they can be a tough team to break down judging by their performance in their last five games.
As they prepare for the Super Eagles on Sunday, the team has conceded just two goals in their last five fixtures.
After a 1-1 draw with Libya, Equatorial Guinea played goalless with Burkina Faso, beat Namibia 1-0, edged Liberia 1-0 before a 1-1 draw with Djibouti.
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COMMENTS
Good analysis, the supereagles are aware of this. Tomorrow will decide the result. Our boys are not combative. Let’s see what the game will bring. We lost hope, we fed up, we gave up, we were tired and retired of all relating to super eagles. Heart attack, crying and wailing, all becomes norms. Well, lets wait and see the game as it begins today. Thank you. God bless Nigeria.
Tomorrow is a different ball game, what we used to senior we are going to teach them tomorrow.
The game is tough but Super Eagles must be combative, ferocious, team to play against, have enthusiasm to go through any team with dedication and committment SE will go through.
I recommend coach Jose Peseiro to tightened Super Eagles defensive midfield and center back cause they are frail department of SE , so he must play with tow defensive midfielders , just as Oneyka and Onyedika and with Iwobi as attacking midfielder, Chukwueze and Ahmed Musa and Osimhen as three forwards; at center back he must put Ekong and Ajayi, at right back Aina is suitable , at left back Bassey is good for this function , Uzoho is suitable for goalkeeping ; so SE lineup as follows: 4-3-3 , Uzoho- Aina,Ekong Ajayi, Bassey- Onyedika,Onyeka,Iwobi- Chukwueze,Ahmed Musa,Osimhen.