Nigerian football enthusiasts have expressed optimism over the Super Eagles’ ability to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to be held in Cote d’Ivoire between January 13 and February 11.

The enthusiasts in Enugu on Tuesday said the Eagles would win the trophy if the players and the technical crew played their roles well.

Coach Christian Oduma, the Enugu State Grassroots Managers Association chairman, said that he expected the Super Eagles to win the continental trophy.

Mr Oduma urged the team’s handlers to choose players based on current performance, form, and fitness.

“They have all it takes to win the tournament; all they need is to play as a team. The technical crew also needs to be very tactical. This is not a time to choose players based on names or previous records,” he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Rangers Supporters Club, Dr Uchenna Orji, said that Nigerians were expecting an excellent outing from the national team at the tournament.

“The players we are taking to AFCON cannot afford to get anything less than the trophy. They are professionals playing for clubs abroad and getting results, so we expect them to play well for Nigeria.

“They are capable of winning the trophy for Nigeria because they have the capacity and motivation to do so,” he said.

Mr Orji urged the team to put national pride and interest above all other considerations while representing the country at the tournament.

An Enugu-based footballer, Chidera Pius, said the team had been well-motivated and prepared for the competition.

“So we expect nothing but excellent results. They should not underrate any team. They should play with focus and commitment,” Mr Pius said.

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A alongside Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria won the Nations Cup in 1980, 1994, and 2013. 

(NAN)