A former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, Ibrahim Galadima, on Sunday in Abuja urged the Super Eagles to remain focused in their next match against Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigeria drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group A fixture at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic in Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire.

Mr Galadima said Nigerians were not happy with the outcome of the match.

“We thought we are going to have a win but this is football for you, they must remain focused in their remaining games. They need to brace up and play a hard game with the host Cote D’Ivoire on Thursday, because this is the only way Nigeria can qualify.

“I have confidence that they can do better in their next game. We have talented and competent players in the team,” he said.

He said that the coach needed to find out what went wrong in their first match in order to find a solution to it.

“They must correct every lapse so that it will not repeat itself in their next match. The players must be serious and be focused. We should also know that there are many players with injuries. Even the replacements had injuries too. I hope this will not affect our next match which is very crucial against the hosts,” he said.

The result placed the Super Eagles in the group’s third position after one round of matches by four teams.

Nigeria will play their second game on Thursday at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, Abidjan.

Nigeria is in group A alongside Guinea Equatorial, Guinea Bissau and the host Côte D’Ivoire. The 2023 AFCON which started on January 13 is will end on February 11.

(NAN)