While Ivorian legend Yaya Toure does not see Nigeria qualifying from Group A ahead of Guinea and Ivory Coast, Super Eagles coach Jose Vitor Peseiro is confident his side can win the trophy.
Nigeria’s last Africa Cup of Nations title (AFCON) was in 2013, when they beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in South Africa. Their campaign in the 2021 edition ended in the quarterfinals.
They are in group A with hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
However, the Portuguese trainer, Peseiro, is targeting nothing but a win in the penultimate match of the 2023 AFCON.
Speaking to NFF TV, the 63-year-old hailed the quality of the Super Eagles squad, stating that his team has the best attacking force on the continent, which will be very critical to their ambition to clinch the title.
“Currently, the Super Eagles have the best attack on the continent,” Peseiro said. “I have evaluated the players and the situation, and I want to win the AFCON; it’s my goal and objective.”
The former FC Porto manager also notes that the Super Eagles will have to endure competition in a tough group that also features the 2015 champions and hosts.
“It’s not easy as there are other candidates, as everyone knows. You also need to respect the other national teams and know their strengths. We have a difficult group. Some of the teams in our group had a better showing at the last tournament, so we want to do better,” Peseiro said.
Jay Jay Okocha says Super Eagles have lost respect
Meanwhile, Nigerian legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha says the Super Eagles, who are considered a giant in African football, have lost some respect and intimidation.
“I don’t think we are where we are supposed to be. We have always believed we are one of the best teams in Africa, but recently, we have not had the results to match our status,” he told Times Live. “Because of that, we might have lost a bit of the respect and fear we had during my era.”
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Okocha notes that the Super Eagles have a good team, urging Peseiro to promote teamwork over individual brilliance to record positive results at the AFCON.
Nigeria will open its Africa Cup campaign on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea.
