- Nigeria’s captain Ahmed Musa expresses the Super Eagles’ determination to secure three points in the Africa Cup of Nations, emphasizing their aspirations for victory
- Musa outlines the team’s strategy, focusing on taking each match at a time and making a statement in the knockout rounds
In the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are poised to conclude the first matches of Group A at the newly inaugurated Stade Alassane Ouattare in Ebimpe, outside Abidjan, today.
Expressing their determination, Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa, in a pre-match press conference, affirmed the Super Eagles’ focus on securing three points without apology for their aspirations.
Musa stated, “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 wants to experience the feeling of winning the Africa Cup of Nations. Everyone is geared towards making a statement.”
Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Musa emphasized that the teams in their group, including Equatorial Guinea, are strong and ambitious. He articulated the team’s strategy, saying, “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.”
This marks Nigeria’s 20th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, with a rich history dating back to their debut in 1963. The current competition holds significance for the team as they reached the Final on away ground for the first time in the previous edition, losing to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
Nigeria boasts the most podium appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations, with wins in 1980, 1994, and 2013. They have also finished as runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990, and 2000, and secured bronze medals in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2019, making a total of 15 podium appearances in 20 finals. The Super Eagles aim to add to this illustrious record as they embark on their journey in the 2023 AFCON.