Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau on Monday (today) seeking at least a draw to advance from their Africa Cup of Nations Group A.
Nigeria is positioned second in Group A after drawing 1-1 and winning 0-1 in their first two games against Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast respectively.
Guinea-Bissau, however, have lost their first two matches but will aim to cause an upset against the Eagles as they meet at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
“Indeed we are going to base ourselves on this match. We have analysed the game of the Super Eagles well, we hope to make a success of our exit in the absence of having had a good tournament,” said Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Condé.
Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, said the Eagles would study the tape of the loss to Guinea-Bissau and come up with a strategy to beat the fellow West Africans.
“We know them, we played them in the qualifying series. They are a dangerous team if you let them play,” Osimhen told reporters in Abidjan.”
But Nigeria are determined not to repeat their shock 1-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2023 AFCON qualifying, group stage last year.
“What matters is the present. We focus on the present and the future. We have confidence in ourselves. We are aiming for first place which is also occupied by Equatorial Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire, it is up to us to remain vigilant,” insisted Super Eagles coach, José Peseiro.
Defender, Kenneth Omeruo, said the team’s sole objective is to win the AFCON trophy in Ivory Coast.
“Our objective is clear. Bring the cup home. It’s been a while since we added a trophy to our cabinet which is not acceptable when you’re wearing the green shirt,” Omeruo stated.
“I will not say that our defeat against them was accidental, but it does not reflect the spirit which reigns in our camp today. We are hungry for victory, it’s up to us to put everything in place to achieve our ambitions,” he added.
On the other hand, hosts, Ivory Coast, take on Equatorial Guinea in a must-win encounter on Monday (today), at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.
After their heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Nigeria, the Elephants need to win all three points in order to automatically advance to the competition’s knockout stages.
The Ivorians, who have showed tremendous support for the host country in their two matches, will be quite disappointed if they lose.
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According to Mr Wahab, the decision was reached following the menace which the single use plastics especially the non-biogradeable Styrofoam was causing on the environment.
He added that most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam through its indiscriminate distribution.
The Commissioner added that the State Government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration of its environment especially for a coastal city.
Mr Wahab has subsequently directed the State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline to immediately commence the implementation of the ban.
The Commissioner advised producers, distributors, and end-users of these styrofoam packs to take the ban seriously and find alternatives or risk heavy fines, and other penalties including sealing of their premises.
He also advised Consumers and residents to boycott styrofoam packs and single use plastics while imbibing the practice of using reusable food containers and water bottles for their food and drinks.
