Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi emphasised that Nigeria is always favourites when entering the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, expressing hope that the current generation of players can replicate the success of a decade ago.
Mikel Obi, who lifted the AFCON title in 2013 under the guidance of the late Stephen Keshi, reflected on the significant victory that ended a 19-year drought for the Super Eagles. The team secured the championship with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
Heading into AFCON 2023, Nigeria finds itself drawn against tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. Mikel Obi believes that Nigeria is poised to perform well and potentially clinch the title.
“We are always favourites; this is every time we go into the tournament, and it’s no different this time. Everyone knows that we are one of the favorites—not the massive favourite, but definitely one of the favourites,” stated the former captain.
He highlighted the importance of bringing football back to where it belongs in Nigeria and expressed optimism that winning the tournament would be a massive achievement for the country.
Mikel Obi acknowledged the evolution of football since their 2013 triumph but emphasised the potential of the current young team playing a different brand of football. He expressed hope for a strong performance from the Nigerian team in the tournament.
Nigerian football recently garnered recognition at the CAF Awards 2023, with star player Victor Osimhen named the best African player in the men’s category and Asisat Oshoala achieving the same feat in the women’s category.
The Super Eagles aim for their fourth AFCON title, having previously won in 1980, 1994, and 2013. They were also runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990, and 2000. Nigeria kicks off its AFCON 2023 campaign on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea, followed by a crucial match against hosts Cote d’Ivoire on January 18, and concluding the Group A campaign against Guinea-Bissau on January 22.