Nigeria players walk off the pitch at half-time during the 2018 World Cup. Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images
Afcon 2019: Nigeria vs Burundi – time, prediction, head-to-head and TV stream
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations rolls on with Nigeria square off with Burundi on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know.
Nigeria players walk off the pitch at half-time during the 2018 World Cup. Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr is banking on Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi for goals when they face debutants Burundi on Saturday in the Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener in Egypt.
“Although only 23, Alex is an experienced international and I want to see him scoring more regularly for the national team,” said German Rohr.
“He, Odion (Ighalo) and Ahmed (Musa) can cause a lot of damage to opposition defences if they click at this Cup of Nations.”
Rohr has cause for concern as Nigeria failed to score in two warm-up matches against fellow qualifiers, drawing 0-0 at home to Zimbabwe and losing 1-0 to Senegal in Egypt.
Nigeria are the fourth highest ranked team in Egypt and Burundi the lowest with 89 places separating them in the world rankings.
But Rohr became upset the second a reporter described this match in the coastal city of Alexandria as one the three-time champions should win comfortably.
“The national football association president (Amaju Pinnick) says we must win this tournament, but we have a very young side.”
However, the coach can call on three of the 2013 Africa Cup-winning squad, captain John Obi Mikel, Kenneth Omeruo and Musa, to provide experience.
Grim prospects for tournament rookies
Twenty five of the 39 debutants- over 64 per cent – headed home after first rounds comprising two or three group matches.
Rohr, though, was adamanent that they would not take their opponents lightly.
“There will be no easy matches for Nigeria,” stressed the 65-year-old ahead of their opening match against Burundi in Mediterranean city Alexandria this Saturday.
Using the latest FIFA world rankings as a guide, the Nigerian Super Eagles should win comfortably as they are 89 places higher than the Burundian Swallows.
Rohr added that Burundi had qualified instead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-led Gabon and that should serve as a warning to his team.
Nigeria vs Burundi: Prediction, head-to-head and TV stream
Prediction: Nigeria are the favourites. Their win probability is 71%. The draw is the second most likely with 22% while Burundi’s chance of winning is 7%.
Head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in any competition.
Where and what time to watch
Kick off time is at 19:00 (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.).
Additional reporting by AFP.
