As Nigeria gears up for its opening Africa Cup of Nations clash against Equatorial Guinea, the Super Eagles find themselves at a pivotal juncture, aiming to break a decade-long AFCON title drought. Historically a powerhouse in African football, recent AFCON performances have fallen short of expectations, placing added pressure on manager Jose Peseiro.
Peseiro faces a challenging start to the tournament, having navigated through draws with Lesotho and Zimbabwe in World Cup qualifying, followed by a friendly loss to Guinea. The team suffered a significant setback just before kick-off, with Bayer Leverkusen's sought-after forward, Victor Boniface, sidelined due to injury. The absence of key players like Wilfred Ndidi and Taiwo Awoniyi further compounds Nigeria's challenges.
Nevertheless, the Super Eagles boast an arsenal of attacking talent, featuring stars like Victor Osimhen, captain Ahmed Musa, and Samuel Chukwueze. However, the availability of Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho and towering forward Paul Onuachu remains uncertain, with both players missing the team's final training session – Iheanacho due to recent injury, and Onuachu owing to a late arrival at the camp.
The predicted Nigeria XI showcases a formidable lineup, with Uzoho in goal, supported by Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, and Bassey in defense. The midfield is expected to feature Chukwueze, Onyeka, Iwobi, and Simon, while Moffi and Osimhen lead the attacking front. However, doubts linger over Iheanacho and Onuachu's availability.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for 3 pm WAT on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. Football enthusiasts can catch the action live on SuperSports or streaming platforms.
