Nigeria and Burundi will open their AFCON 2019 accounts at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday.
Nigeria are firm favorites to top Group B, which also features Guinea and Madagascar. Burundi are one of the lowest ranked sides in the competition and are appearing at their first ever Africa Cup of Nations.
Burundi’s head coach Olivier Niyungeko masterminded their qualification and will be hoping his side can make a good account of themselves at this year’s tournament.
Nigeria are no strangers to the Africa Cup of Nations and have won the tournament 3 times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2013.
They come into the competition in relatively good form. Despite losing their last match to Senegal, they registered 5 wins and 3 draws in their 8 matches prior and are expected to beat Burundi on Saturday.
Nigeria and Burundi have only ever played each other once before. Nigeria won their only encounter in by two goals to nil in 1999.
Burundi’s star man is Stoke City forward Saido Berahino. If his side are to stand any chance of upsetting the odds against Nigeria, the 25-year-old will be expected to perform.
Berahino represented England at youth level but was given clearance by FIFA to switch to the Burundi national team. He made his debut in September 2018 and scored his team's only goal in a 1-1 draw with Gabon.
Nigeria have no shortage of high-profile players. John Obi Mikel won the Premier League and the Champions League with Chelsea and the experienced 32-year-old anchors the midfield expertly.
Lets make it official! Our 23 for #TotalAfcon2019. #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/0o5TAwp68k— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) June 9, 2019
Lets make it official! Our 23 for #TotalAfcon2019. #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/0o5TAwp68k
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) and Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) also play in the Premier League and their quality on the ball could cause Burundi some real problems.
Ndidi’s Leicester team mate Kelechi Iheanacho failed to get a place in the 23-man Nigeria squad, underlining the county’s strength in depth.
Nigeria are clear favorites to pick up all three points against Burundi and it will take a monumental effort from the underdogs to get anything from this match.
Forebet predicts a high-scoring victory for Nigeria as they look to take control of Group B and push for a spot in the last 16.