Nigeria head Coach Éric Chelle will go into matchday two of the 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea-Bissau with one of his heroes against Madagascar out injured and two others falling ill
George Ilenikhena picked up a knock and could only do drills during Monday’s training, while two unnamed players are sick.
Speaking at the pre-match conference, Chelle says he will wait till the last minute to decide on George’s playing.
“We have to manage George; he has a little something. After that, we have two or three players; they are a little sick. We will see after the training session, before tomorrow.”
Chelle said three-time African champions Nigeria will take nothing for granted when they face Guinea-Bissau’s Djurtus (Wild Dogs) in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Day 2 qualifying match in Bissau on Tuesday.
Nigeria currently sit second in Group L behind Guinea-Bissau on goal difference.
The Djurtus opened their campaign with a 2-0 win away in Tanzania.
“We respect them because they are a strong team; I have followed their progress over the years. They also won away in Tanzania on Friday and will be confident playing on home ground tomorrow.
“Our objective is to take the three points, and to do that, we must approach the game with a strong mentality. We have to be at our best to earn victory,” Chelle said at Monday’s pre-match press conference.
State of The Pitch
The Franco-Malian didn’t dwell on the poor state of the pitch at the 24 September Stadium, saying his team will make the best of the terrain for the 90 minutes.
The Super Eagles had their official training at the match venue, under a light shower of rain for 65 minutes on Monday evening.
With only one team expected to qualify from the group because Tanzania are among the hosts of the 2027 AFCON, Nigeria will be looking to secure a win when they face Guinea-Bissau.