Babajide Orevba, Ero Samson
January 23, 2024 at 2:55 PM
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued their AFCON campaign with a victory over Guinea Bissau
- The win ensured Nigeria’s place in the knockout phase of the tournament in Ivory Coast
- A Super Eagles forward has expressed confidence about the team’s chances in the knockout stages
Nigeria continued their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) charge with another victory against Guinea Bissau.
The seemingly cagey affair, which saw both sides create a flurry of mouth-watering chances, was eventually settled by a first-half own goal from central defender Opa Sangante.
Source: Getty Images
This victory marked the second in three games for Jose Peseiro’s side and secured their spot in the knockout phase of the competition.
However, the win could only ensure Nigeria finished second in their group. The Super Eagles fell short on goal difference compared to Equatorial Guinea, who claimed the top spot.
Jose Peseiro speaks on why Nigeria lost against Guinea ahead of AFCON
Football
The second-place finish, however, sets Nigeria on a course to face formidable opponents likely to top their respective groups, including Senegal and other nations such as The Gambia, Guinea, and a struggling Cameroon.
Nonetheless, as the knockout phase approaches and Nigeria’s opponent remains undetermined, a forward from the Super Eagles has conveyed optimism about the team’s prospects in the upcoming AFCON matches.
Super Eagles forward on Nigeria’s AFCON chances
In an exclusive conversation with Sports Brief, Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze expressed his confidence in the team after the conclusion of the match against Guinea Bissau.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, he pointed out that the Djurtus made the game challenging for the Super Eagles.
“It was a tough game today; the opponent had nothing to lose and changed their regular starting lineup. But we managed them despite our fatigue, and we secured the victory.”
When asked about Nigeria’s potential opponents in the knockout stages, the AC Milan forward stated:
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“I don’t care about any team we face. What’s important is for us to work hard, and we are ready for any challenges that come our way.”
The words of the 24-year-old resonate with every member of the Super Eagles team, as the players have consistently emphasised their determination to make a statement and secure the AFCON title during their time in Ivory Coast.
Super Eagles legend makes AFCON prediction
In another report, Sports Brief highlighted the predictions of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Dosu Joseph for the AFCON tournament.
The 50-year-old expressed strong support for his beloved nation, Nigeria, to emerge as the winner of the showpiece.
Additionally, Dosu made a bold assertion, stating that he believes Victor Osimhen will be named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).