Nigeria will be looking to book a place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations with a win on Saturday against Sudan at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in their second Group D fixture, with kickoff at 19:00.
Nigeria opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a victorious note as they claimed a well-deserved 1-0 win against fellow Group D favorites Egypt, in the group curtain-raiser on Tuesday. The Super Eagles did well to keep Mohamed Salah at bay with their rigid defence, while Leicester City man Kelechi Iheanacho displayed his class with a brilliant half-volley into the top corner award Nigeria’s superiority in the match.
The win saw them continue their recent fine form as they have only lost just one of their last seven across all competitions, claiming five wins and one draw in the run.
With a win potentially sealing a place in the knockout stages, Nigeria will be looking to build on their form as they at aim at picking back-to-back wins in the tournament when they face Sudan at the weekend.
Meanwhile Sudan, who will also be looking for a win as they chase a spot in the knockout stages, did well to hold on for a 0-0 draw against Guinea Bissau in their opening fixture on Tuesday. Sudan have their goalkeeper to thank for his heroics in the match with the 32-year old keeper coming up trumps late in the second half as he saved a penalty to secure a point for his side.
The draw saw them end their three-match losing streak, but it adds to their poor form as they now remain winless in their last 10 matches, losing six while claim four draws in the run.
While they will look to find their feet and get their AFCON campaign up and running, standing in their way is an opposing side who they have lost to in each of their last two encounters since a 1-0 victory back in 2014.
Nigeria vs Sudan head to head
Both sides have met in three encounters since 2014 with Nigeria claiming two victories while Sudan won the other match.
- Sudan 0-1 Nigeria 31/01/18
- Nigeria 3-1 Sudan 15/10/14
- Sudan 1-0 Nigeria 11/10/14
Home
- Nigeria 1-0 Egypt
- Nigeria 1-1 Cape Verde
- Liberia 0-2 Nigeria
- Central African Rep 0-2 Nigeria
- Nigeria 0-1 Central Africa Rep
Away
- Sudan 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
- Lebanon 1-0 Sudan
- Sudan 0-5 Egypt
- Algeria 4-0 Sudan
- Guinea-Bissau 0-0 Sudan
Nigeria team news
Nigeria will be without Kenneth Omeruo who was forced out of their last match against Egypt with an injury in the 79th minute.
Sudan team news
Sudan have no injury or suspension concerns at their camp.
Prediction and odds
- Nigeria win
- Goals under 2.5
- Both sides to score (no)