What Super Eagles Must Do Against Cote d’Ivoire To Quality For AFCON Next Round — Adepoju

Former Nigerian international Mutiu Adepoju has advised the Super Eagles to rectify any errors in their approach to Thursday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against the host team, Côte d’Ivoire, if they are to secure qualification for the tournament’s knockout stages.

Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw in their opening game on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea, while Ivory Coast defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 to sit at the top of Group A.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, the 1994 AFCON winner said the Super Eagles must correct all the mistakes made in the first game against Equatorial Guinea.

“We are not satisfied with the match because they didn’t win the first game. It was an important game to win, and it was not won despite numerous opportunities that remained unconverted. Our hope is that we will see an improved performance against Cote d’Ivoire in the next match,” he said.

“We all know that it’s not going to be easy, but it is possible if necessary things are done, and if they play better than what they did against Equatorial Guinea, I think they can win the game.

“The Eagles should do all they can to win the game, correcting mistakes and all that was done.

“I believe the coach would have seen that there were some mistakes, like not scoring or not taking their chances, and all that. Those are mistakes, as are the mistakes of conceding a goal. We all know that without mentioning it. So, if all those things are corrected, I think it’s possible to win.”