Super Eagles 2013 AFCON Winner Recounts How Nigeria Beat Ivory Coast in Quarterfinal

• Azubuike Egwueke was in the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 African Cup of Nations held in South Africa
• The 32-year-old defender has explained that he never thought that he and his teammates would beat Ivory Coast in the quarterfinal
• Egwueke added that the win over Ivory Coast boosted their morale to go far in the tournament which they won

Former Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwueke has recounted how he told his friends in Nigeria in 2013 not to bet on the team ahead of the AFCON quarterfinal clash against Ivory Coast.

At the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, Ivory Coast were the favourites to win the title due to the stars like Zokara, Eboue, Didier Drogba and Yayaha Toure they had in their squad.

Super Eagles did not have things rosy on their road into the the quarterfinal and Stephen Keshi and his squad were not rated going into the tie against the Ivorians.

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According to the exclusive interview Azubuike Egwueke granted the Punch, the 32-year-old explained that he had already packed his bags ahead of the clash with Ivory Coast.

Azubuike Egwueke's statement

''I already packed my bags and I told myself, ‘Today, Azubuike Egwuekwe is coming back home after this match.’ But 10 minutes after the game started, I told Chidozie Agbim that we were going to win the game because the only Ivoirian who was playing very tight football was Cheick Tiote.

''He was the only one playing tight, but Sunday Mba, Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi were playing very well. Anytime they had the ball, they would play. That’s why I told Chidozie that we were going to win, and we did.''

What was the scoreline of the game between Nigeria and Ivory Coast

Emmanuel Emenike opened the scoring just before half-time, smashing a thunderous effort past Boubacar Barry.

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Cheick Tiote restored parity for Ivory Coast before Sunday Mba netted the winner as Super Eagles won 2-1.

President Buhari asks stunning question as Eagles star Omeruo presents him Jersey, ball in Spain

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Super Eagles star Kenneth Omeruo met with President Muhammadu Buhari who is in Spain for the Nigerian-Spanish Business Forum in Madrid.

The CD Leganes defender expressed delight in meeting the Nigerian president who is on a three-day tour of the Spanish capital.

Buhari is expected to return to his home country on Friday and Omeruo quickly took time out to present him with a signed jersey and ball.

Spotted at the moment were Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, former Super Eagles forward Daniel Amokachi who is now an assistant to the president resident on sports and other government officials.