naby keita guinea africa cup of nations 2019

Naby Deco Keita of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Nigeria vs Guinea: Prediction, head-to-head, score and TV stream

Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations preparation was marred by the threat of strike action. They face a Guinea team bolstered by the return of fit-again Naby Keita. Here’s what you need to know.

naby keita guinea africa cup of nations 2019

Naby Deco Keita of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

The build-up to Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations clash against Guinea was loaded with drama.

Players refused to face the media and showed up late for training due to not being paid some of the money they had been promised.

Officials later said that the matter had been resolved. The money owed to players was for daily allowances and for their win against Burundi.

But there is some good news for the Super Eagles.

Samuel Kalu, who collapsed during training last week due to severe dehydration, is fully fit to play in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations game against Guinea, coach Gernot Rohr confirmed.

“The very good news is that Kalu did again yesterday in Cairo an MRI and it is now 100% sure that he is fit and he will be available for the game,” he said.

“He already started training with the team so we are happy about that because everybody was a little bit scared when this happened.”

The Bordeaux player was rushed to hospital Friday suffering from severe dehydration due to severe heat. Temperatures expected to hover between 35 and 38 Celsius (95-100.4 Fahrenheit) over the next month in Egypt.

He missed Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Burundi on Saturday in the opening match in Group B in Alexandria

Guinea, meanwhile, will be looking to Naby Keita again to make the difference.

Hurt during the first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final showdown with Barcelona, Keita spent nearly two months out before making his comeback in the final 30 minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with a plucky Madagascar.

“He gives a lot, he’s a leader in his own way. We need him. He helps us benefit from his experience in big matches. It’s a bonus to have him,” forward Sory Kaba, scorer of the first goal against Madagascar, told AFP.

Guinea drew 2-2 against Madagascar. While still favourites to advance from their group, not losing is as important as a win.

Prediction, head-to-head and TV stream

Prediction

It’s a tight call. Nigeria’s probability of winning is bang on 50%. The draw is at 31% while Guinea have a mere 19% chance of winning.

Head-to-head

The two sides have met 17 times. Nigeria have won five and Guinea have won five. The seven other matches ended in a draw. Their most recent meeting was in 2011. That ended in a 2-2 draw.

Where and what time to watch

Kick off is at 16:30 SAST.

In Africa, SuperSport 4 and 10 will broadcast the match and the opening ceremony.

Elsewhere: Eurosport Player (UK) and beIN Sports Connect (U.S.).

Live scores

Additional reporting by AFP.