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

Nigeria play host to Cape Verde on Tuesday knowing that a draw will be enough to secure their progress through to the next round of World Cup qualifying.

However, it will be the visitors who prevail from Group C if they can upset their more illustrious opponents in Lagos. Given the quality within their ranks, Gernot Rohr would have expected Nigeria to have already qualified for the final 10 with one match to spare.

Team News

Rohr is unlikely to make any major alterations to his Nigeria XI after their victory over Liberia. Chidera Ejuke replaced Alex Iwobi shortly after the hour mark of that game and appears most likely to be drafted into the side off the substitutes' bench. Musa is also pushing to get the nod over Iheanacho having contributed during his cameo outing last time out. Bubista will take a similar approach to his opposite number, potentially making just the one change to his Cape Verde side. Willy Semedo could get the nod over Dylan Tavares after replacing him at half time versus Central African Republic. Nigeria possible starting lineup: Okoye; Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Collins, Awaziem, Ndidi, Aribo, Iwobi, Simon, Iheanacho, Osimhen Cape Verde possible starting lineup: Rosa; Stopira, Lopes, Furtado, Fortes, Semedo, Borges, Monteiro, Santos, Mendes, J.Tavares

Nigeria to edge out Cape Verde

This fixture will be a tough one for both sides given how they have performed recently. However, playing at home means Nigeria will have massive support in this game in its quest for a place in the Next World Cup. The hosts defeated Cape Verde 2-1 in the reverse fixture away from home. Ranked at position 36 by FIFA, Nigeria is among the best teams in Africa. Cape Verde is ranked 76^th by FIFA. Cape Verde will be prepared to give everything on Tuesday. However, it may not be enough against a strong Nigeria team, who we expect to prevail relatively comfortably over the 90 minutes.