Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi admits beating the Ivory Coast on Thursday night is the only way his Nigeria side will quieten the critics after a lacklustre Africa Cup of Nations opener.
The Super Eagles could only manage a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, a side 46 places below them in FIFA’s global rankings, and next face a tough test in Group A challengers and AFCON hosts Ivory Coast.
Sunday’s stalemate left some speculating whether or not Nigeria, among the tournament favourites, have what it takes to advance in the tournament, with fears they could face an early exit without swift improvement.
Iwobi told Nigerian media: “We’re excited. We thought we should have won. We know it’s not going to be easy but we’ll analyse the team and see what we can do.
“The only way to correct that impression is if we win. As long as you win, all of a sudden you’re giving your best. That’s the only way to keep the critics quiet.
“I always enjoy playing for the national team. To win (AFCON) would be my biggest dream, so hopefully that is something I can achieve.”
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen shone brightest for Nigeria in their opener, closely followed by Alhassan Yusuf, who was forced off in the second half.
Super Eagles boss Jose Peserio told Nigerian media the midfielder would miss the Ivory Coast encounter, but could still return to face Guinea-Bissau for their final group stage encounter.
Ivory Coast enter the contest bolstered by a 2-0 triumph against Guinea-Bissau, and head coach Jean-Louis Gasset is preparing for CAF African footballer of the year Osimhen to cause problems once again.
He told a press conference: “We know the strengths of Nigeria, they have an impressive offensive armada.
“They have the best African player in their squad, but against them, we will have to raise our game, and I know my players will do it because I know you have to win that first game to be released.”
Chelsea forward Erin Cuthbert still finds herself dreaming of a first Champions League trophy despite boss Emma Hayes’ firm reality-rooted approach to the competition.The Blues, who face Ajax at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday night in the first of their two-leg last-eight encounter, remain on course to become just the second English side to complete a quadruple – with ...
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal’s Champions League history is irrelevant and challenged his side to prove they belong at the tournament’s business end as they prepare to face Porto in the last 16.The Gunners are back in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in seven years but have failed to progress past this stage since 2010.Arsenal will be firm favourites at the Estad...
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted he has no intention of letting speculation over Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at the club take his focus away from the job at hand.Real are seen as the most likely destination for the French striker, who has informed Paris St Germain he intends to leave in the summer, but Ancelotti was careful not to fan the flames of those rumours.With his side leading th...
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes does not expect her players to be intimidated by a partisan home crowd in Paris in their final Women’s Champions League group match.Hayes’ side, who secured their place in the knockout stages by beating Real Madrid 2-1 last week to finish top of Group D, face a Paris FC side who can also progress with victory.Paris must win at the Sebastien Charlety Stadium on T...
Cape Verde coach Bubista is taking nothing for granted when they face fellow underdogs Mauritania in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.Both countries were surprise qualifiers from the group stage, with Cape Verde beating Ghana and Mozambique and earning a draw with Egypt.Mauritania, meanwhile, finished third in Group D courtesy of a shock win over Algeria.Bubista, speaking at his pre-match ...
Midfielder Marwan Attia insists Egypt can cope with the “great loss” of Mohamed Salah as they gear up for their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash with DR Congo in San Pedro.Salah is back at Liverpool for treatment on the hamstring injury he picked up in the second group game, with the hope he might be able to rejoin the national team should they reach the latter stages of the tournam...
Equatorial Guinea boss Juan Micha believes his side can continue surprising people at the Africa Cup of Nations.The team known as ‘National Thunder’ caused an AFCON storm by beating hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 to top Group A.While Ivory Coast dropped to third spot to set up a daunting last-16 tie against reigning champions Senegal, Equatorial Guinea will meet Guinea in Abidjan on Sunday....
Guinea head into their final Africa Cup of Nations group game urging supporters to “celebrate carefully” after several fans were killed in the aftermath of Friday’s 1-0 win over Gambia.Kaba Diawara’s side face Senegal in a clash between the top two in Group C against a backdrop of tragedy and concern.A number of supporters were killed amid scenes of celebration on Friday an...
Rigobert Song is unconcerned about speculation over his position as Cameroon boss heading into their crucial Africa Cup of Nations clash against the Gambia.The five-time champions started their campaign with an underwhelming draw against Guinea before losing to Senegal and almost certainly need to beat the Gambia to have a chance of progressing from Group C.Victory at the Stade de la Paix in Bouak...
Angola coach Pedro Goncalves will have his sights set firmly on qualification for the knock-out stages of the Africa Cup of Nations when his side face Burkina Faso on Tuesday.Perhaps surprisingly, the sides go into the match as the top two in Group D, level on points and facing what amounts to a play-off for top spot.But with Algeria two points back ahead of their game against Mauritania, defeat w...
- 1 リヴァプール VS レアル・マドリード 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/28
- 2 アストン・ヴィラ VS ユヴェントスFC 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/28
- 3 SKシュトゥルム・グラーツ VS ジローナFC 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/28
- 4 RCDマヨルカ VS バレンシアCF 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/30
- 5 トッテナム・ホットスパーFC VS ASローマ 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/29
- 6 RSCアンデルレヒト VS FCポルト 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/29
- 7 ラツィオ VS PFCルドゴレツ・ラズグラド 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/29
- 8 マンチェスター・シティ VS フェイエノールト 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/27
- 9 FCザンクトパウリ VS ホルシュタイン・キール 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/30
- 10 NKディナモ・ザグレブ VS ボルシア・ドルトムント 予想、対戦成績、最新情報2024/11/28