Nigerian football legend and 1994 AFCON winner, Emmanuel Amunike, has cautioned the Super Eagles about the looming pressure as they embark on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, emphasizing the high expectations for the team to secure their fourth continental title.
The former Zamalek and Barcelona player went on to say pressure should not be put on Victor Osimhen, recently crowned CAF Best Player of the year.
A lot will be expected from the Napoli forward following his blistering form for the Italian champions last season, becoming the first African player to win the Serie A top scorer award.
Nonetheless, Amunike argued that the team should not be built around one player because no player is more important than the other.
“I don’t think we should put pressure on any player, including Victor. There are 23 players in the squad, and there is pressure on all of them,” Amunike said.
“Victor won’t win the AFCON on his own. There are other players who are going to chip and help the team to win the tournament or go far as they can.”
He added, “Ivory Coast and Nigeria are the favourites to qualify in the group, but they must prove their quality by winning. In football, you can not predict what might happen against Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.
“There have been developments in the two teams in recent years. They have players in European teams. Of course, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are stronger, but they must prove the ability by winning.”
The Super Eagles open their account at the AFCON with Equatorial Guinea on January 14, before playing hosts Ivory Coast four days time and then meet Guinea Bissau in the last Group A game on January 22 in Abidjan.
