Friday’s 1-1 draw between Nigeria and Egypt and the shock withdrawal of Chad have doubled the stakes riding on Tuesday’s AFCON 2017 rematch in Alexandria.
Chad results in the qualifiers have now been nullified for Egypt to remain top of Group G with four points, still two points clear of Nigeria with Tanzania bottom on a point.
Chad’s withdrawal also means that this group can only produce one qualifier and the three teams will not be considered for the two best losers slots.
After Tuesday’s rematch, Egypt will travel to Tanzania for their last group game, while Nigeria welcome the Tanzanians in September.
A draw could therefore still be good enough for Egypt on Tuesday, while Nigeria have to win on the day to ensure they still have their destiny in their own hands.
Egypt may have won the AFCON a record seven times, but they have not qualified for the previous three editions of the tournament since their last conquest in 2010.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON and should they not feature at Gabon 2017, it will be the second time that the country will fail under the troubled administration of NFF president Amaju Pinnick.
The Pharaohs are not leaving anything to chance with the interior ministry now allowing for 40,000 fans to watch this rematch after the crowd bans since the tragic incident in 2012 when 72 fans died at the Port Said Stadium.
They will also expected to a lot more adventurous than they were on Friday, when they generally stayed put in their own half of the pitch only really opening up to chase the game after Oghenekaro Etebo opener on the hour.
The Nigeria defence will be fully stretched on Tuesday as Mohamed Salah, Mahamoud Trezeguet and Ahmed Hassan ‘Kouka’ led the home team’s attack again.
The Eagles will be without first-choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who has missed training due to a stomach problem, and it is expected that South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi will start in goal on Tuesday.
Nigeria will be boosted with the return from a three-match ban of Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi for Etebo to play a more attacking role in midfield.
Samson Siasia’s teams love to attack and are always capable of scoring goals, but the coach would also have to take a second look at his strike force – should Victor Moses start or should another striker lead the attack other than Watford star Odion Ighalo, who was largely ineffective in Kaduna?
“We will take the game to Egypt in front of their fans,” declared Celtic defender Efe Ambrose.
“We need all three points in Egypt. It’s a tough task, but we’re capable,” added Akpeyi.
Egypt Vs Nigeria: Preview And Prediction
The second leg of this double header game will be taking place on Tuesday 29th March, 2016.
The super eagles of Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw in Kaduna, after a late minute leveller from Egypt’s winger Salah cancelled out Etebo’s early second half strike. The Pharaohs sits on top of Group G with 7 points, two points points clear of Tuesday’s visitors.
Form Comparison
The Pharaohs form in the on going qualification have been flawless. The young Egyptian team have only dropped point once, and that came in their Friday game with Nigeria which ended in a score draw.
Nigeria on the other hand have also failed to loss a game in their first 3 qualification clashes. The Super Eagle however drew 2 of their games which put them, 2 points behind the group leaders and a point ahead of Tanzania who sits 3rd on the log.
Egypt: Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2)
Ahmed: Gabar, Hegazy, Rabiea, Tolba: El Said, Ibrahim, Elneny, Hassan: Salah, Koka.
Nigeria: Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2)
Ikeme: Ambrose, Godfrey, Amuzie, Abdullahi: Mikel, Etebo, Musa, Moses, Iwobi: Ighalo.
Egypt Vs Nigeria: Head-to- Head-Stats
The two side have now met a record 17 times with the super eagles claiming 7 victories, losing 5, and the remaining 5 ending in a draw.
The Super has however failed to claim the maximum point against the Pharaohs since their 1-0 triumph at the African Cup of Nations in 1990. Six matches (including 2 international friendly) meetings have happened after that victory, with 3 ending in a draw and the other 3 ending as a victory for the Pharaohs.
Egypt Vs Nigeria: Prediction
The current captain of the Nigeria national team in his reaction after the game, is very optimistic his side will get all the maximum point in Egypt. The taste of an Afcon atmosphere is most have for both teams. Egypt went a Afcon extinction after they failed to qualify for the last 3 edition having 3 Championship in row.Nigeria also failed to qualify for the last edition after winning the 2013 edition in South Africa.
Therefore, both teams pressure of getting the maximum point will be very high, which will make me settle for another score draw.
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