On Sunday evening, Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe go head-to-head in gameweek six of the African Cup of Nations Group A.
Nigeria form guideThe Super Eagles are top in Group A of qualifying, having recorded four wins and suffered one defeat in five outings. However, Nigeria has not always been convincing of late, as back-to-back wins over Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone followed a six-winless run, including five defeats.
Despite their somewhat patchy results, Nigeria has an excellent recent record in African Cup of Nations qualifying, winning six of their previous seven AFCON qualifiers. They have also kept clean sheets in five of their last eight qualifiers.
The Super Eagles also have a good home record in qualifying, winning five of their last seven AFCON qualifiers. A 1-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau in their previous home qualifier ended a six-game unbeaten run on home soil.
Sao Tome and Principe form guideThe visitors have been the whipping boys of Group A, having claimed just one point from their five matches in qualifying. Their results in Group A will not come as a massive surprise, as they have now lost ten of their previous 13 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Sao Tome and Principe have a poor recent record at both ends of the pitch in AFCON qualifying. They have conceded at least two goals in five of their last six qualifiers, having failed to score in three of their previous four games in qualifying.
Unsurprisingly, Sao Tome and Principe have a poor recent away record in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, having failed to win in four outings on their travels.
What am I backing?Nigeria’s recent results have improved, and I can see the home side continuing their recent winning run with a comfortable win in this clash.
