The Nigerian national football team embarks on its journey in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) currently taking place in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria will face Equatorial Guinea in a crucial opening match at the Hassan Wattara Stadium, marking the beginning of their campaign in Group A of the tournament.
With aspirations for a fourth AFCON title, Nigeria aims to build on its rich history in the competition, having secured the championship in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
The Super Eagles have previously clinched second place in 1984, 1988, 1990, and 2000, while consistently achieving third place in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2019.
The Nigerian squad, currently ranked 42nd in the FIFA rankings, boasts a talented lineup featuring star players such as Victor Osimhen from Napoli, named Africa’s Best Player in 2023.
Other key contributors include Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan, Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, and Terem Moffi, a forward from OGC Nice, who replaces the injured Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen.
Under the guidance of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who took charge in May 2022, this marks Peseiro’s first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The team’s qualification journey saw them top Group A in the qualifiers, alongside Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Sao Tome and Principe.
Nigeria’s quest for success begins with a challenging match against Equatorial Guinea, aiming to secure three crucial points that would aid them in progressing from a group that also includes Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast.
The encounter holds historical significance as the teams previously met twice in the African World Cup qualifiers for the 2010 tournament.
Nigeria emerged victorious both home and away, winning 1-0 in Guinea and 2-0 in Nigeria.
Equatorial Guinea enters the match seeking a victory, relying on the notable progress the team has made in recent years.
Despite limited experience in AFCON, with only three previous appearances, Equatorial Guinea achieved commendable results, reaching the semifinals in the 2015 edition hosted in their own country.
Juan Micha, the coach of Equatorial Guinea, places trust in several standout players, including captain Emilio Nsue and Saul Coco from UD Las Palmas in Spain.
The clash between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea promises to be an enthralling spectacle as both teams aim to make a strong statement in the opening fixture of AFCON 2023.
