Former Super Eagles midfielder, Etim Esin, says that the team should not be counted out as potential winner of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Eagles have been unimpressive in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Lesotho on matchday one November 16 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
They recorded another 1-1 draw on matchday two against Zimbabwe three days later at the Huye Stadium in Rwanda.
Their unimpressive performance has been a source of concern for Nigerian fans ahead of the AFCON 2023.
In an exclusive interview with completesports.com, Esin said: “With the way we are going there is no real confidence. The last two games we played were draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
“It’s not encouraging but you can never count Nigeria out at the Cup of Nations. I just hope we can win it again.“
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The 1987 U-20 World Cup star posited that Jose Peseiro should be given a target of winning the AFCON 2023.
“All these coach. Keshi took us as a captain and won Nations Cup, took us as a coach and won Nations Cup so what’s this target of semi-final given to foreign coaches? I don’t buy that idea giving somebody such target.
“Until we do something drastic because what kind of football are we playing? We are having to come back to equalize. I think the boys should get their acts together. The best thing a coach can do is to get results anywhere in the world.
“It’s what makes you a good coach. The results he’s (Peseiro) getting is not giving me confidence.”
The Eagles have been placed in Group A of of the 2023 Afcon with the host nation Ivory Coast, Equitorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.
The AFCON 2023 which is the 34th edition of the competition will hold between January 13 and February 11 next year.
This will be Ivory Coast’s second time of hosting the Nations Cup after staging the showpiece in 1984.
By Toju Sote
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COMMENTS
Everything is possible in Swampland.
I don’t get the point that this man is making or trying to make – You say that the results he (Paserio) has been getting is not giving you confidence – which is the same with I can say ALL Nigerians now but in the nex breath you are still saying not to write Nigeria off?? How does that make any sense? There is no thread of consistency in what you are saying mr man – Chaii! Nigerians ehnn?!
Anyway, my own 2 kobo in it is that anyone who gives Nigeria any chance in the upcoming AFCON or any competition for that matter with Calamity Frank (Uzoho) as the goalkeeper needs to go and have their head examined by a good psychiatrist because there must be something not computing in their brains.
Kai! Nigeria we hail thee O!