Super Eagle of Nigeria
Nigeria will, for the first time, emerge from an Africa Cup of Nations group phase with an immaculate record if the Super Eagles does not concede against the Barea of Madagascar at the Alexandria Stadium on Sunday (today).
One-goal wins over Burundi and Guinea at the same venue means the three-time champions have booked a ticket in the Round of 16, but history beckons for a first-ever clean sheet in group phase account since their first appearance at the finals in 1963.
The closest the Eagles have come to a clean sheet in the group phase was 13 years ago also in Egypt when they defeated Ghana and Zimbabwe 1-0 and 2-0 respectively but conceded one goal in a 2-1 defeat of Senegal in their third match in Port Said.
Debutants Madagascar’s 2-2 draw with Guinea in their first match and 1-0 win over Burundi on Thursday mean they now have a place in the Round of 16, but they will be hoping to score against the Eagles, having not done so in four previous ties versus the Nigerians.
Four of the group winners will play against third-place finishers in the Round of 16, and only the Barea can still upstage Nigeria in Group B, as they would go top if they win today.
Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi said that: “We have six points and are already in the Round of 16. But the team want a clean record in this group stage to go ahead with and get used to.
There will definitely be bigger hurdles later on in the tournament so there is the need to get used to winning and maintaining clean sheets.”
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