Today, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will kick start their 2023 AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea. With their last AFCON triump coming in the year 2013, Nigeriasoccernet.com take a look at the country's chances of adding another AFCON trophy to their cabinet.
During the Super Eagles' pre-match conference, coach of the side, Jose Peseiro said he knows the pressure that comes with coaching the Super Eagles especially in tournaments like this, and despite the injury worries and the rising talks about the weaknesses in our goalkeeping department, he wants to bring smiles to the faces of over two hundred million Nigerians come February 11, 2024.
Strenght
The attacking prowess of the Super Eagles of Nigeria is second to none in this tournament after coach released his final squad for AFCON. Even with the news of injuries that plagued the camp in the last few days, the attacking prowess of the Super eagles surely will be ranked among the top 3 in the competition.
Coach
Heavily criticised and with credentials largely questioned, Portuguese born Jose Peseiro will hope he can use this tournament to build a huge image for himself and also prove his doubters wrong. With the arrays of stars available for him, the Super Eagles selected 40 for his AFCON provisional list before dropping 15 out of the 40 for his final 25-man list, 3 of which have now dropped out because of injury.
“To play for Nigeria is not easy, 200 million football fans want to win and we need to answer with good results on the pitch,” Peseiro said during Saturday's pre-match conference.
“We will give our best in tomorrow’s game. I’m not under pressure and we will do the best on the pitch.”
Nigeria Squad
Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabili Francis Uzoho Leke Ojo
Defenders William Troost-Ekong Bright Osayi Samuel Ola Aina Zaidu Sanusi Bruno Onyemaechi Semi Ajayi Calbin Bassey Chidozie Awaziem Kenneth Omuero
Midfielders Alhassan Yusuf Raphael Onyedika Joe Aribo Frank Onyeka Alex Iwobi
Forwards Kelechi Iheanacho Samuel Chukwueze Moses Simon Ademola Lookman Victor Osimhen Terem Moffi Ahmed Musa Paul Onuachu
With the controversies surrounding the goalkeeping department of the Nigeria's national team, it is yet to be known if they can go all the way out to challenge other big guys
The Super Eagles will kick-off campaign today against Equatorial Guinea ta the Alassane Ouattara Stadium by 2pm local time and 3pm Nigerian time.
By Oluwayemi Omolagba