Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has tipped Nigeria for glory at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.
Mikel, who led the Eagles to their third AFCON triumph in South Africa in 2013, believes Nigeria will always be favourites to win the biggest trophy on the African continent.
Over a decade ago, Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final of the AFCON at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, thanks to a wonderful first-half goal from one of the tournament’s unsung heroes, Sunday Mba.
The 36-year-old also stated that he hopes the new generation of players that will be donning the Nigerian colors in Ivory Coast reproduces the same historic feat he and his 2013 teammates achieved when they ended the nation’s 19-year drought in the competition.
“We are always favourites,” the former Chelsea midfielder stated in an interview with CAFOnline. “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 definitely one of the favourites.
“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.
Like every other one, the tournament in Ivory Coast will not be a stroll in the park for the Super Eagles, who finished third in 2019 and crashed out in the round of 16 in the last edition in Cameroon in 2021.
When questioned about if there were any similarities between his 2013 team and the current crop of stars in the Super Eagles ranks, Mikel, who reiterated his belief in the side, added that the game has evolved a lot since they last lifted the title.
“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,” he said.
“So, let’s hope we can see a good performance from the Nigerian team.”
The Super Eagles, yet to release their final shortlist for the upcoming AFCON, will rely heavily on reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, who is expected to lead the line for his side.
Nigeria are drawn in Group A against hosts Ivory Coast, Western African neighbours Guinea-Bissau, and along with Equatorial Guinea.
Jose Peseiro’s men will begin their search for a fourth AFCON title with a clash against Equatorial Guinea on January 14, before taking on the Elephants four days later in a repeat of the 2013 quarterfinals, and then the Djurtus in their final group game on January 22.
