The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to kick off in Ivory Coast on Friday, January 13, and the Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up to secure a fourth continental title. This will be Nigeria’s 20th appearance at the finals, and the Eagles fly into the tournament with high hopes and aspirations.
The Nigeria Football Federation launched the #LetsDoItAgain campaign to infuse the team with the belief that they can conquer Africa once again and rally support from fans back home. However, despite their ambitions and the campaign’s efforts, scepticism prevails among Nigerians due to the team’s struggles in recent fixtures.
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Super Eagles face uphill climb in 2023 AFCON despite past glory
The Super Eagles have a rich history in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with three titles to their name. However, their recent performances have been disappointing. Under Portuguese head coach Jose Peseiro, the team struggled to find their rhythm in recent fixtures, and their lacklustre performances have left many fans and critics questioning their ability to compete at the highest level.
Nigeria has faced several setbacks in preparing for the 2023 AFCON tournament. Injuries to key players, including Taiwo Awoniyi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Boniface, have weakened the squad, and they have failed to win any of their last three matches against established teams. Although they won a match against a local Abu Dhabi side during their training camp, their struggles against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Guinea have left fans disillusioned about their chances in the competition.
However, some believe the team can still rise to the occasion and achieve their goals in Ivory Coast. The 2013 tournament is being cited as an example where Nigerians were similarly underwhelmed by the team heading to South Africa. But the unheralded team, led by the late, great Stephen Keshi shocked critics by winning the title, beating current hosts Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals. That triumph was Nigeria’s last at the AFCON. They’ve failed to reach a final since, missing out on the next two editions before managing a third-place finish in Egypt and a last 16 exit in Cameroon last time out.
Current team captain Ahmed Musa and defensive stalwart Kenneth Omeruo both remain from that 2013 squad, and many Nigerians are hoping that their experience can help rally the team and achieve a similar outcome at the 2023 AFCON.
Squad
- Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United); Francis Uzoho (Omonoia FC); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)
- Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (POAK FC); Bright Osayi Samuel (Fenerbahce SK); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion); Calvin Bassey (Fulham); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC); Kenneth Omuero (Kasimpasa SK)
- Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC); Alex Iwobi (Fulham); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge KV); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC);
- Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City); Victor Oshimen (SSC Napoli); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC); Moses Simon (FC Nantes); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor)
Group, Opponents & Fixtures
One of the most anticipated fixtures in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) sees Nigeria drawn against hosts Ivory Coast in Group A, alongside Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, January 14, a team they have faced off against twice before, winning on both occasions without conceding a goal.
Four days later, the Super Eagles will take on the hosts in a highly anticipated match. With a rich history of facing each other in the tournament, having played six times in AFCON history, both sides are evenly matched, with two wins apiece and two draws. Nigeria won their most recent AFCON clash, a 2-1 win in the quarterfinals in 2013, and their most recent encounter in a 2016 friendly.
Nigeria will conclude their 2023 AFCON group stage by facing Guinea Bissau on Monday, January 22. It is a rematch of their group stage encounter at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, which Nigeria won 2-0. However, Guinea Bissau has recently emerged as a troubling opponent for the Super Eagles, notably shocking them 1-0 in Abuja last March during the qualifiers for this tournament.
Fixtures:
14/01 15:00 Nigeria – Equatorial Guinea, Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara (Abidjan)
18/01 18:00 Ivory Coast – Nigeria, Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara (Abidjan)
22/01 18:00 Guinea Bissau – Nigeria, Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Abidjan)
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Key Players
Victor Osimhen will be a critical player for the Super Eagles of Nigeria if they are to achieve their goal of “doing it again” in the Ivory Coast. The 25-year-old Napoli forward is the reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year and is widely regarded as one of the most prolific strikers in world football. Osimhen ranked 8th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, and his outstanding performance in the 2022/2023 season was crucial in ending Napoli’s league drought after 33 years. He scored 26 goals during that campaign, earning him the Italian Capocannoniere award.
Osimhen replicated this form for the Super Eagles during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, scoring 10 goals in six matches and emerging as the top scorer in the qualifiers. He currently has 20 goals for the Super Eagles, which is only 17 behind Rashidi Yekini, the highest goalscorer in Nigeria’s football history.
With the 2022 World Cup missed out on, the expectation is that the stage has never been better for Osimhen to provide an era-defining performance for Nigeria before a global audience. Such a performance would elevate him to mythical status as a national hero. Much of Nigeria’s title hopes rest on his broad shoulders.
Beyond Osimhen, the experience of veteran duo Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo will be crucial for the Super Eagles. While doubts remain about the fitness of Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who missed the team’s training camp, he has often delivered in the green and white of Nigeria and could prove to be a valuable asset if he is fit to play.
Give a boost to your next sports betStrengths and Weaknesses
Goalkeeping remains the biggest worry for the Super Eagles, with the country unable to effectively replace the legendary Vincent Enyeama.
None of the three goalkeepers in the current squad, Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabili, and Olorunleke Ojo, inspire any confidence.
Nwabili only made his Super Eagles debut in the 2-0 loss to Guinea last Monday, while Ojo is yet to play for the national team. Uzoho, on the other hand, has been the biggest disappointment. The Omonia goalkeeper has failed to kick on since 2018, when he was the starting goalkeeper for Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. He has been at fault for a significant number of goals conceded by the team and has come under severe criticism from Nigerians for his performances.
Despite his underwhelming performances, Uzoho will probably start in goal in Ivory Coast, given the lack of proven alternatives.
The defence and midfield are also areas of concern. Nigeria tends to concede quite frequently while struggling to create much from the midfield. Although there is adequate defensive personnel to address the leakages, there is a glaring lack of midfield creators, a situation exacerbated by Victor Boniface’s injury. Boniface, a striker for Bayer Leverkusen, is often deployed as the link between midfield and attack in the national team, and his absence will be keenly felt.
Overall, there are significant issues with the current Super Eagles team, and a common criticism has been that Jose Peseiro has been unable to fashion a coherent team from the array of talented individuals at his disposal.
This brings up the biggest problem with the team – a distinct lack of tactical nous in the coaching staff and one that could be their biggest undoing in Ivory Coast.
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Nigeria 2023 AFCON: Betting Opportunities
Several top Nigerian betting sites offer various markets on the Super Eagles and the 2023 AFCON. For instance, tournament sponsors 1xbet sets Nigeria at 10 odds to win the 2023 AFCON. And if you sign up now, you can enjoy a 300% First Deposit Bonus up to ₦145,600. That’s more fuel for your AFCON betting adventures!
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Betking has options for predicting Nigeria’s top scorer, and how many goals Nigeria will score in the tournament, including betting on Nigeria winning the title and Victor Osimhen emerging as the top scorer (26 odds).
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Moreover, Betano’s 2 Goals Ahead feature is an excellent matchwinner market that allows you to cash out early if Nigeria takes a two-goal lead anytime during the match. This feature can be an ideal insurance policy, considering the Super Eagles’ tendency to concede and give up leads. Plus, their incredible 100% Welcome Bonus of up to ₦200,000 doubles your initial deposit, giving you more ammo to back your favourite AFCON teams.
2 Goals Ahead? You've Already Won!You can find more information on betting odds for outrights, top scorers, and other markets at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by exploring our comprehensive article.
AFCON 2023: Can the Super Eagles Fly or Fall?
Despite a rich history and a talismanic striker in Osimhen, the Super Eagles of Nigeria face a daunting task at the 2023 AFCON. Injuries, inconsistent form, and tactical concerns cast long shadows over their quest for a fourth AFCON title in Ivory Coast. Can Peseiro’s men overcome their vulnerabilities and soar to glory, or will they succumb to the weight of expectation and crash out early? Only the sands of Ivorian soil will reveal their fate.