English Championship side, Stoke City have set the mood of their teeming fans in AFCON 2019 mode by publishing an inspiring story – a preview of their African players’ expected participation in tournament billed for Egypt, and their Nigerian jewel is the main attraction.
The story titled ‘We take a look at Peter Etebo and Nigeria’s chances at this summer’s AFCON…’ was published on the official website of Stoke City on Monday just as the midfielder is already in Super Eagles camp in Asaba.
The teaser of a story is bound to engage The Potters’ faithful who will fancy seeing Etebo shine at Egypt 2019 following his impressive first season at the club.
The central midfielder joined Stoke City in 2018 from Portuguese side CD Feirense after a loan stint at Spanish club Las Palmas.
Etebo became an instant hit at Stoke City with a number of man-of-the-match performances in 34 games. His two goals and one assist were only the icing on the cake.
Stoke City media takes up the preview of Etebo’s next assignment as their fans await the kick off of AFCON 2019…
A number of Stoke City players will be looking to shine on the international stage when the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway later this month.
Several members of Nathan Jones’ first-team squad are expected to be named in their respective countries’ 23-man squads over the course of the next couple of weeks, including Oghenekaro Peter Etebo.
The Nigeria midfielder rose to prominence during last summer’s World Cup Finals in Russia, with his tireless and impressive performances at the heart of the Super Eagles, earning him huge plaudits.
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His move to the bet365 Stadium from Portuguese side, Feirense, on the eve of the showpiece finals in France was somewhat left field, but his outstanding performances on the world stage of all soon had the City faithful purring.
A key component in a side which heartbreakingly missed out on qualification beyond the group sages, Etebo will undoubtedly be equally as influential in Egypt when the cream of Africa come together for the bi-annual tournament.
Having previously lifted the trophy on three occasions, most recently in 2013, Nigeria are once again fancied by many to add to their tally this time around.
Somewhat surprisingly however, this will be their first appearance in the finals of the tournament since overcoming Burkina Faso in South Africa by a solitary goal back in January 2013.
Successive failures to qualify means this will be a first opportunity to take part in the competition for a large number of players, although there will be experience to call upon in the likes of Jon Obi Mikel and former Leicester City winger Ahmed Musa.
Managed by former Bayern Munich defender and Nantes boss Gernot Rohr, Nigeria eased through qualification, winning their group with 13 points, six clear of Libya who finished outside of the top two places behind South Africa.
And it would take something of a catastrophe for the country not to advance even further in June too having been placed alongside minnows Madagascar and Burundi, as well as Guinea in Group B of the competition.
The Super Eagles need to secure a place in the top two to guarantee a safe passage through to the last 16, whilst they could even do so in third, providing they are one of the four best third placed finishers amongst the six groups.
They get their campaign underway against Burundi on June 22 at the Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria, before taking on Guinea at the same venue four days later.
Etebo and co will then wrap up their group encounters against Madagascar, once again in Alexandria, on June 30, before the competition really begins to heat up with the always entertaining straight elimination stages.
