African Cup of Nations: Zambia vs NigeriaThanks to the win over Gabon in the final qualifying game, Zambia produced quite a coup by qualifying for the quarter-finals but we would not be surprised if the Chipolopolos go one step further. Nigeria recorded the 3:0 win over Mozambique, although the Super Eagles were not as convincing as the scoreline suggests.
Zambia impressed in all three games
It would have been a big shame if Zambia had been eliminated after very good performances in the group stage but Herve Renard’s men made sure that doesn’t happen by beating Gabon in the final group game. The Copper Bullets played beautiful football against Tunisia, Cameroon and Gabon, and they were unlucky not to have taken more points from those games. Nonetheless, the team have now reached their goal and can play without any pressure, which should result in even better performance by the Copper Bullets. The team have already proven their attacking potential by scoring five goals in the group stage and odds of 1.83 offered by Sportingbet on Zambia to score definitely look too good to pass.
With no fresh injury worries to report, boss Herve Renard is set to field the same team that started all three group games and the Zambians will line-up in 4-4-2 diamond formation. Jason Chamanga and Jacob Mulenga currently create one of the best attacking partnerships at Africa Cup of Nations and Nigeria defenders will have big problems containing them. We expect at least one of them to get on the scoresheet and you should know William Hill pays 4.30 on Mulenga to score, while the odds are the same on Chamanga as well.
The pressure is on Nigeria
This national team were under big pressure even before the competition started and the situation only worsened after the opening defeat to Egypt. The Super Eagles won the next two games and thus qualified for the next stage but they were far from impressive and unless they show a considerable improvement, they will be packing the bags after this match. Shaibu Amodu’s side scored three goals past minnows Mozambique and the scoring run looks likely to continue with Martins again available after lengthy spell on the sidelines but that might not be enough for the win. Nonetheless, odds of 2.20 offered by William Hill on both teams to score are definitely worth a shot.
Obafemi Martins was introduced in the second half of the Mozambique game after recovering from injury and he is likely to start this match even though he is not fully fit. The boss has no other injury problems, thus we won’t see too many changes in the starting line-up but the Eagles will have to play much better than they did in the group stage if they want to remain in the competition.
Betting verdict
Nigeria are under big pressure in this match, especially after the poor performances in the group stage and we definitely don’t see them as favourites in this match. Their defence is very shaky, the lack of a creative midfielder is a big problem, while it is more than evident the Eagles don’t have any team spirit unlike Zambia. The Chipolopolos have shown plenty of potential at this tournament and we see them as much more serious team than Nigeria. Hence, double chance on Zambia looks like a very good bet.
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Odds 2.20 at
Bookmaker: Expekt
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