AFCON 2019
Madagascar vs Nigeria
Al Salaam Stadium, Cairo
Sunday, 30-06-2019
Madagascar will face off with Nigeria in their group B final game on Sunday evening at Alexandria Stadium.
The Super Eagles head into this contest having already guaranteed their place in the knockout stages of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Madagascar got the better of Burundi in their previous game to register their first ever win the competition, a draw against the three time winners will be enough to seal their place in the next round.
Following their two 1-0 wins, Nigeria has accumulated 6points and are in pole position to win this group. However, they need to improve if they are to win the competition for the first time since 2013.
Madagascar frustrated Guinea in their first group game with a 2-2 draw before registering a famous 1-0 success over fellow tournament debutants Burundi.
The Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr is likely to make alterations to his team for this encounter having already booked their slot in the second round.
Captain John Obi Mikel is likely to start ahead of Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. Odion Ighalo who scored the all important goal against Burundi is likely to be rested.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Leon Balogun alongside Abdullahi Shehu and Jamilu Collins are also likely to miss out for the Super Eagles through injuries.
Madagascar will look up to Marco IIaimaharitra to inspire them to dreamland.
This will be the fifth meeting between the two nations and Madagascar are yet to register a win or a goal against their opponents. Nigeria has won three and the only positive result for Nicolas Dupuis’s side off the Super Eagles was a goalless draw in 2000.
A great result today for the Barea will see them secure a place in the next round in their debut tournament.
Other games to be played on Sunday
-Uganda vs Egypt @11pm
-Zimbabwe vs DR Congo @11pm
Saturday’s results
-Mauritania 0-0 Angola
-Cameroon 0-0 Ghana
-Benin 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
