Preview: Cape Verde vs Nigeria - prediction, team news, lineups

Cape Verde Islands host Nigeria at the Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena, Mindelo, on matchday two of the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, with the home side poised to snatch the three points and Group C’s top spot at stake. Match preview: Going head-to-head for the first time in three years, Nigeria saw off the threat of Liberia with a 2-0 triumph at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Friday. Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho broke the deadlock midway through the first-half, before grabbing a second on the stroke of half time. Consequently, Gernot Rohr's men are now unbeaten in their last seven competitive outings, winning five of them including each of the last three. Having already secured their place at next year's AFCON in January, the Super Eagles now continue their quest to feature in November's World Cup with a first ever meeting against Cape Verde. With six appearances already under their belt, Tuesday's hosts already the experience needed at this level which could play a big part in their qualifying campaign. Cape Verde missed out on an opportunity to get their qualifying campaign underway with a victory following a 1-1 draw versus Central African Republic on Wednesday. Julio Tavares saw his first-half goal cancelled out eight minutes into the second period by Tresor Toropite which led to a share of the spoils in in Douala. The Blue Sharks now return to their home turf where they are unbeaten in five games and claimed an impressive 3-1 win over Cameroon last time out. With opponents of a high calibre expected in town once again, Tuesday's hosts will be confident of securing another feather in the cap. Team News: Nigeria Coach Gernot Rohr called up 30 players for the games against Liberia and Cape Verde.A notable absentee is the in-form Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi, with Rohr preferring to extend invitations to players he has previously worked with. Nigeria will be without as many as eight players who ply their trade in the United Kingdom, including Premier League stalwarts like Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi. Rangers duo Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo are also not part of the squad. This is due to Cape Verde being on the United Kingdom's 'red list' for COVID-19 protocols. Team captain Ahmed Musa is in line to join the 'FIFA Century Club' with his 100th cap for Nigeria. Julio Tavares ended a three-year international goal drought with his equaliser against Central African Republic, and the 32-year old also became his nation's 10th-most capped player of all time in the aforementioned game. Ryan Mendes has scored two of Cape Verde's last three goals on home turf, the most recent of which was the clincher in a 3-1 victory over Cameroon. Prediction: Nigeria have been hampered by the unavailability of several key players - Super Eagles will back themselves to claim all three points away from home. While they may not be as dominant as last time out, we are tipping Nigeria to come out on top. Cape Verde possible lineup (4-3-3): Vozinha; D.Tavares, Lopes, Stopira, S.Furtado; Andrade, Ponck, Santos; Mendes, J.Tavares, A.Furtado. Nigeria’s possible lineup (4-2-3-1): Okoye; Aina, Omeruo, Awaziem, Collins; Abdullahi, Bonke; Simon, Kalu, Musa; Osimhen.