Former Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju has urged the Super Eagles to approach their Thursday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against hosts, Ivory Coast with all sense of seriousness if the team must qualify to the knockout stages.
Recall that Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in the opening game on Sunday while Ivory Coast defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 to sit top of Group A.
However, in a chat with Completesports.com, the 1994 AFCON winner stated that the Super Eagles must do everything to get the maximum points against Ivory Coast.
“I think it’s just unfortunate that we didn’t win the first game against Equatorial Guinea. And it won’t be easy to face the hosts, who have already gotten the three points and they will want to consolidate on their qualification by winning the second game and not waiting for the third game.
Read Also: AFCON 2023: What Super Eagles Must Do To Beat Cote d’Ivoire — Peseiro
“I think the Super Eagles must approach the game with all seriousness, aggressiveness and they should make sure that they take all the goal scoring chances that they have.
“The outcome of the result will be dicy for the Super Eagles most especially if they don’t win. Because if the Super Eagles loses, the outcome of Equatorial Guionea and Guinea-Bissau result will also determine the fate of the Super Eagles.
“If Guinea-Bissau wins that means they will be on four points and that will be a little bit difficult because waiting for the last game should not the option. And looking at the calculators to know whether we will be among the best third won’t be good.
“Anyhow, we must have to try to ensure we win against Ivory Coast.”
By Augustine Akhilomen
Photo by Ganiu Yusuf
4 Comments
God help us
God help us ooo
The match is ending in favour of Nigeria 2:1 .
These players are all professionals and therefore give their all for the team – it’s absurd to think that they put their careers at risk to fake the game lightly- anyone who understands football knows if you go in lightly for any challenges you will
Come worse off . Players don’t deliberately miss chances . More positive words of encouragement will help the team as opposed to all these negative headline