Mothiba: Bafana Bafana Star Names Nigeria’s Group Opponent As Candidate to Win 2023 AFCON, Video

• Lebo Mothiba has tipped one of Nigeria's group-stage opponents as a big candidate to win the 2023 AFCON
• The Strasbourg star disclosed this ahead of South Africa's friendly game against Ivory Coast in Abidjan
• Bafana Bafana will also face the Super Eagles during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

South Africa striker, Lebo Mothiba has named one of Nigeria's opponents in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as one of the big candidates to win the competition next year.

Nigeria were drawn in Group A alongside host nation Ivory Coast, as well as Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.

Africa's biggest football competition is scheduled to kick off next year on January 13 in Abidjan.

Ahead of Bafana Bafana's international friendly game against Ivory Coast, Mothiba named the Elephants as one of the favourites to win the 2023 AFCON, according to a report by Complete Sports.

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"As we all know, Ivory Coast is a very big team with very good players, most of them they play in Europe. It’s going to be a very good game for us and a good test for us because Ivory Coast are a candidate to win the AFCON next year," he said.

South Africa's friendly with the Elephants ended in a 1-1 draw, with a goal from Themba Zwane for Bafana Bafana, while Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastian Haller hit the back of the net for the 2023 AFCON hosts.

These international friendly matches are preparatory games for the 2026 FIFA World qualifiers next month, with Hugo Broos' side being drawn alongside Nigeria as well as Benin Republic, Lesotho, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.

Drogba on Nigeria’s AFCON chances

Sports Brief earlier reported on Ivorian legend, Didier Drogba rating Nigeria's chances at the 2023 AFCON as the Super Eagles face the host nation in the group stage.

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Jose Peseiro's side is tipped as one of the favourites to win the continental competition next year, but it will not be an easy ride for the West Africans in the group phase.

Speaking after the draw earlier this week, Drogba stated that their AFCON pool would be a difficult group for both the Elephants and the Super Eagles to advance from.