Ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has tasked the Super Eagles to replicate the performance of the 2013 team that lifted AFCON a decade ago.
The former Super Eagles skipper made this call while speaking with CAFOnline when he hinted that the three-time champions will always go into AFCON as one of their favourite teams.
Mikel further revealed his hope that this generation of Super Eagles players could emulate what they did a decade ago by lifting the trophy in Cote d’Ivoire.
“We are always favourites. This is every time we go into the tournament, and it’s no different this time. Everyone knows that we are one of the favourites – not the massive favourite but one of the favourites,” he said.
“To be able to do it again will be a massive achievement for us which I think the country needs right now as well. We need to get our football back where it should be, and by winning this tournament, it will take it back to where it should be.” Mikel added.
Speaking further, the former Chelsea star confirmed that over the years, the football game has evolved a great deal since they lifted the AFCON title in 2013, but expressed belief in the potential of the Super Eagles.
“Football has changed dramatically, and I think this group of players are a good young team and play a different brand of football than we did so let’s hope we can see a good performance from the Nigerian team”.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is drawn to play against the tournament hosts; Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
They will kick off their campaign on January 14, 2024, against Equatorial Guinea before facing the host team on January 18 in what will be a repeat of the 2013 edition quarter-final. The Super Eagles came out victorious with a goal margin.
The Super Eagles will conclude the Group A campaign with a tie against Guinea Bissau on January 22.
