The Super Eagles of Nigeria have vowed to defeat Equatorial Guinea in their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.
The match will be played at the brand-new Stade Alassane Ouattare in Ebimpe, outside Abidjan.
On Saturday, Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa told thenff.com after the pre-match press conference that the Super Eagles have their eyes on the three points and have no apologies for their aspiration.
He said, “It is always interesting to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. I was a champion in 2013, same as (defender Kenneth) Omeruo. However, the rest of the team want to have that feeling of what it means to win the Africa Cup of Nations. Everyone is geared towards making a statement.
“It is not going to be a picnic. The teams in our group, including Equatorial Guinea that we play tomorrow, are strong and ambitious as well. It is for us to go all out for the three points in each of our games, and then take it from there in the knock-out rounds. We will take it one match at a time.”
Equatorial Guinea’s senior national team is known as Nzalang Nationale (National Thunder), but Musa said the Super Eagles will fly above any thunder strikes or claps the neighbours-to-the-south may be planning for Sunday.
“We are ready. This is a group that loves to compete, and we will give this match, and this competition generally, our very best,” he said.
