Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju believes Nigeria are capable of ruling the continent at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The La Liga ambassador is counting on Jose Peseiro’s side to turn around their recent results after slumping to a 1-0 loss to Guinea in their final friendly match in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Nigeria will begin their charge for a fourth AFCON title against Equatorial Guinea at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on Sunday, with the target of from grabbing a first competitive victory since their 6-0 thrashing of Sao Tome and Principe in September 2023.
When quizzed about the Super Eagles’ chances in Ivory Coast, Adepoju told Afrosport: “I’m not pessimistic about the team’s chances in Ivory Coast. I believe they can turn things around despite the loss in Monday’s friendly game.
“All invited players have the strength and are doing well at the various clubs, the only thing for them is to put efforts together and make everything work.
“There are so many teams like Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon and Ivory Coast who can challenge for the title but I believe that Nigeria will always lead. It is going to be tough but our players are capable to perform.”
The Super Eagles last won the AFCON title in 2013 and they failed to go beyond the round of 16 in the 2021 edition that took place in Cameroon.
