Three-time African champions, the Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria have mentioned they’ve lengthy concluded a analysis of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with neighbours Equatorial Guinea and looking out very a lot ahead to what they imagine will probably be an ‘attention-grabbing encounter’ with host nation Cote d’Ivoire on the thirty fourth Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.
The table-topping Elephants, two-time champions of the continental competitors, will look to e book an early Spherical of 16 ticket by defeating Nigeria on the newly-built Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe, whereas podium appearance-leaders Nigeria, joint-second on the group A log, are decided to wrestle all of the factors and improve their prospects of a slot within the knockout rounds.
Defender William Ekong, who led out the squad on Sunday, has appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to maintain supporting the group as they look for all three factors in opposition to the hosts on their very own turf on Thursday night.
“We went all out to choose the three factors in opposition to Equatorial Guinea, nevertheless it did not occur. We reside to battle one other day. From our facet, we’re interesting to Nigerians from all around the world to maintain supporting and believing within the group. Our goal is to first attain the knockout rounds after which we push strongly from there.”
Nigeria created alternative after alternative in opposition to the Thunder, however poor ending ensured a 1-1 draw and share of the spoils on Sunday afternoon.
Coach José Peseiro has been supplied with choices within the fore with the arrivals of Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi, and the camp believes strongly that the group that scored 22 targets in qualifying (greater than every other group within the collection) might begin firing higher on Thursday.
“We count on a troublesome recreation as a result of the Ivorians are the hosts and they’re additionally prime of our group. However we now have our aspirations as effectively and we imagine in ourselves,” defender Kenneth Omeruo mentioned on Monday.
Half of the squad spent Monday morning within the fitness center earlier than the night coaching session, which was open to the media.
The stature of Thursday’s encounter has been enhanced by present realities across the two groups, nevertheless it was all the time going to be a recreation to behold for the reason that draw was made, as matches between each international locations at senior degree have been livid and feisty on the terrain, and even outdoors it.
