BAGHDAD, Iraq — Naija football fans wan watch as Iraq face Kuwait for World Cup Qualifiers on March 20, 2025. Dis match go start for 12 a.m. UK time.
Iraq dey on top Group B right now, dem get 11 points and 2 points clear of second place. Kuwait dey struggle for fifth place, but dem still wan try to enter third round of AFC qualification. Dis dey happen at a critical time for Iraq, who never qualify for World Cup since 1986.
As e stand, Iraq don perform well, with only one loss from six games. Dem gass land only 2-3 to South Korea, and their defense don allow only 3 goals. Coach Iván Luis Casas go dey optimistic say with the home advantage, dem fit carry this game go their side.
Casas sabi say dem don dey face heavy challenges, especially as dem lose to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia for Gulf Cup of Nations last December. But Iraq don hold tight for home, no be small thing! Dem no allow any goal for their last three home games, and na since 2021 dem no lose World Cup qualifier for home.
Kuwait go need to step up their game because di stats no dey favor dem — dem win only two out of their last 19 matches. Coach Rui Pizzi go wan motivate his boys after dem perform well to reach Gulf Cup semi-finals without losing any match in dem group stage.
Dis season, Kuwait don rely on 4 draws to stay in the race. Their last match, dem pull 1-1 draw against Jordan, and for now, dem dey 5 points behind third place.
For dis match, Pizzi fit make some changes to di starting lineup. Central defender Abdulaziz Hani get chance to play, also di experienced midfielder Fahad Al-Fnaini might return. Di boys go dey fight hard to catch up to Oman and other teams ahead.
Iraq possible starting lineup fit be: Basil; Ali, Sulaka, Putros, Doski; Iqbal, Al-Taay; Jasim, Attwan, Amyn; Hussein. On di other side, Kuwait lineup fit be: Al-Rashidi; Al-Hajeri, Ebrahim, Al-Harbi, H.Al-Enezi; Hani, S.Al-Enezi; M.Al-Enezi, Al-Fnaini, Daham; Nasser.
With four draws from six matches, Kuwait don show say dem no easy to defeat. However, Iraq fits get the edge for dis clash. Di team dey good for home and dem statistics dey support dem. Most predictions dey expect a low-scoring draw unless either side fit find their scoring boots before di match.
