SPORTS
Super Eagles Not “Massive” Favourites For 2023 AFCON – Mikel Obi
Former Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi has noted that the Super Eagles of Nigeria are not the “massive” favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mikel Obi, who was the captain of the Super Eagles and helped the team to win the 2013 edition of AFCON in South Africa, noted that Nigeria are always one of the favourites for the tournament.
Nigeria are in Group A of the tournament alongside Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and the hosts, Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles will begin their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14. They will play the hosts, Ivory Coast, on January 18, and end the group stage with a game against Guinea Bissau on January 22.
The Eagles are aiming to win the tournament for the 4th time in their history after winning it in 1980, 1994, and 2013. They finished second in 1984, 1990, 2000, and 1988.
In an interview with CAFonline ahead of the tournament which will kick off on January 13, Mikel Obi said: “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 favourites – not the massive favourite but definitely one of the favourites.”
On the possibility of the Super Eagles winning after 10 years of waiting, Mikel Obi added: “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.
“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 so let’s hope we can see a good performance from the Nigerian team.”
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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