Afcon 2023 Qualifiers: ‘They’ll be obdurate opponents’- Nigeria legend Adepoju warns fans not to expect a goal-fest against Guinea Bissau

The Super Eagles silenced Sao Tome & Principe 10-0 in their last qualifying fixture, but the former Real Madrid midfielder that might not be the case against Djurtus

 

Guinea Bissau will be ‘obdurate opponents’ and as such fans should not Nigeria to produce a harvest of goals, according to ex-international Mutiu Adepoju.

The Super Eagles strolled past Sao Tome & Principe 10-0 in their last outing with Victor Osimhen bagging four goals and Terem Moffi netting a brace.

The result in Agadir – apart from being the West Africans’ biggest win in football history – it also helped them remain at the summit of Group A with a perfect record.

Nonetheless, the former Real Madrid and Real Sociedad star has warned Eagles’ enthusiasts not to feel disappointed if Jose Peseiro’s men fail to reenact that form against Baciro Cande’s men.

“Going into this encounter, fans will expect the Super Eagles to have it easy against Guinea Bissau – but it will be a difficult one,” Adepoju told Soccernet.ng in an exclusive interview.

“The will be obdurate opponents so, Jose Peseiro must get his tactics right to win convincingly. If you look at their [Guinea Bissau] games, they have changed completely in their attitude and so far they are unbeaten in Group A.

“They don’t have anything to lose considering Nigeria’s pedigree, nonetheless, a part of them would hoping to avenge their defeat during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.”

In Cameroon, Augustine Eguavoen’s side triumphed 2-0 in Garoua with goals from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong getting the goals in the group fixture.

If the latest FIFA ranking is to be considered, then the three-time African kings should have it easy against the visitors at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

Guinea-Bissau are 118th in the world and they are 29th on the continent. Nigeria, on the other hand, are ranked 35th on the global standings and fifth in Africa.

It is worthy to note that Friday’s fixture will be the second match between the two countries on the international scene.