By Olukayode Babalola
Some football fans have urged warned the Super Eagles against underrating their opponent, going forward at the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d` Ivoire.
They gave the warning in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday.
Umar Muhammed, Financial Secretary, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nasarawa state chapter, said that every team that qualified for the quarter finals of the tournament is a potential threat that must be taken seriously.
He urged the Eagles not to look down or take Angola and other teams in the tournament for granted.
“On paper and in the Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) recent rankings, Nigeria is rated higher than the remaining seven teams.
“In the game of football you never can tell the outcome until the blast of the final whistle. So Eagles should not rely on the ranking by CAF.
“From this stage going forward, more work needs to be done. Eagles must not underrate any opposition they come across beginning with Angola. If they do, they will pay dearly,” he said.
Richard Ajegena said that the 2023 AFCON was bedeviled with ‘giant killers’, adding that the Super Eagles should not be a victim like Morocco, Egypt, Algeria among others.
“This AFCON edition is filled with intrigues and surprises. So the Super Eagles need to be really careful. All eyes are on them.
“Before the tournament, some teams were categorised as minnows but after the first and second rounds, we have now realised that there are no minnows in African football any longer.
“Nigeria needs to put in extra effort more than what they even played against Cote d`Ivoire in the group stage and Cameroon in the round of 16 to avoid any upset from Angola,” he said.
Suleiman Musa, a football fan urged the Eagles not to be complacent going forward, because they performed so well and have one of the best defences in the tournament.
“They should handle Angola and every other opponent with all sense of responsibility, with vigour and renewed energy.
“It’s a tournament of surprises in favour of the so called small teams. So we need to be alert and cautious with whoever we play,” he said.
(NAN)
