SPORTS
2023 AFCON: Ex-Super Eagles’ Friday Ekpo Rules Out Nigeria
Retired Super Eagles player, Friday Ekpo, doesn’t see Nigeria winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will commence in Ivory Coast on January 13.
Friday Ekpo believes that the trophy will most likely go to a country from northern Africa even though the tournament is held in West Africa.
This means that Northern African countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco are most likely to win the 2023 AFCON, according to Friday Ekpo’s Prediction.
“The North African countries are my favourites to win the AFCON because they have always been consistent,” he told Punch.
He continued, “Don’t forget the Ivorians are also there because they are the hosts, and they have quality players outside the continent. There will be so much pressure on them to at least get to the quarter-finals of the tournament, and once they do, they will believe they can win. I also see one of the underdogs causing an upset and going far.”
Based on the prediction from Friday Ekpo, the Super Eagles, who are aiming for their fourth AFCON after winning it in 1980, 1994, and 2013, have been ruled out.
The Nigerian team are in Group A alongside the hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
Coach Jose Peseiro’s team will commence their campaign in the tournament against Equatorial Guinea on January 14, and then play the hosts at the 60,000-seat Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on January 18. They will play their last group stage game against Guinea-Bissau on January 22.
Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey is set to make a return from injury by the end of January.
Partey has made good progress in his rehabilitation work and will hand the Gunners a timely boost.
The Ghanaian has been plagued with different injuries throughout his time in England and picked up a groin problem at the beginning of the season.
He briefly returned to action in October, but picked up another long-term muscular injury.
Partey was then left out of Ghana’s final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, The Mirror reports that the 30-year-old has shown progress in his rehabilitation work and could return to the first team ahead of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on January 30.
Chelsea’s stance on sacking their manager, Mauricio Pochettino has been revealed.
Pochettino is under significant pressure as head coach at Stamford Bridge due to the club’s not too impressive display this season.
The Argentine recently watched as Middlesbrough defeated the Blues 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie.
His team currently sit in the 10th position on the Premier League table after 20 games this season.
However, according to The Telegraph, Pochettino’s job is safe for now despite their latest defeat to Middlesbrough.
The report added that his position at the west London club is not in jeopardy while Chelsea have a ‘realistic chance’ of qualifying for Europe.
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has said his side can’t use the difficult weather condition in Abidjan as an excuse ahead of their opening game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans arrived Abidjan in buoyant mood on Wednesday morning despite losing 2-0 to Guinea in a friendly two days earlier.
The Eagles had a light training session after setting down at their base, the magnificent Pullman Hotel.
Peseiro stated that his team must focus on the task ahead and not allow any form of distraction.
“We cannot give excuses about the weather; we need to put in our focus, adapt well and do our best ahead of the first match, which is very important for us,” he told NFF TV.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the 2023 AFCON finals against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
They will also face hosts, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
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