Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro and skipper Ahmed Musa have promised Nigerians that they will beat Equatorial Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations opening on Sunday (today) at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
The Super Eagles are aiming for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, having won the continental competition more than a decade ago in 2013.
The Super Eagles hope to remain competitive despite being forced to make several changes before their first game due to injuries to top players like Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, Bayern Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, and Sadiq Umar.
Musa spoke to reporters after the pre-match press conference on Saturday and stated that the Super Eagles had their eyes on the three points and were fully focused on the task at hand.
He said, “It is always interesting to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. I was a champion in 2013, just like defender Kenneth Omeruo. However, the rest of the team wants to have that feeling of what it means to win the Africa Cup of Nations. Everyone is geared toward making a statement.
“It is not going to be a picnic. The teams in our group, including Equatorial Guinea, that we play tomorrow are strong and ambitious as well. It is for us to go all out for the three points in each of our games and then take it from there in the knock-out rounds. We will take it one match at a time.”
Peseiro and his side have come under scathing criticism following their dismal performances in recent times, which has inspired little confidence among the country’s football-crazy fans back home of an imminent fourth AFCON title.
However, the Portuguese expressed confidence in his team, saying they could go “all the way” during their pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“I believe in my team. Every team has what you may call frail areas, but the important thing is for the players to play for one another. We are positive.
“It is a 90-minute affair, and it is always about who wants to win most. I have a group that has determination and discipline, flair and steel, and we believe we can go all the way in this tournament,” Peseiro said.
The Nzalang Nacional’s biggest victory in 2023 was a 1-0 win over Tunisia in AFCON qualifying, giving them hope of obtaining another shock victory against a Nigerian team whose ability has been called into question.
They are also hoping to maintain their tradition of always qualifying from their group, but Musa believes the Super Eagles will outperform their opponents.
“We are ready. This is a group that loves to compete, and we will give this match, and this competition generally, our very best,” he said.
