Ex Everton Striker Picks Nigeria Among 7 Top Contenders for AFCON 2023

• Arouna Kone has picked seven countries as 2023 AFCON favourites
• 24 teams will vie for the top prize when the competition kicks off in Ivory Coast
• The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will run from January 13 to February 11

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been backed as one of the favourites for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by former Everton and Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone.

Nigeria, who are three-time AFCON winners, had failed to win the competition for over ten years when Steven Keshi led the team to the trophy in 2013, defeating Burkina Faso in the final.

According to All Nigeria Soccer, Kone picked the Super Eagles, defending champions Senegal, World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, and record AFCON winners Egypt as the main contenders for the title.

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The former Everton striker, who hails from Ivory Coast, also picked his home nation as one of the contenders for the trophy alongside five-time winners Cameroon and Ghana.

24 teams have been placed in six groups as hostilities look set to commence for Africa’s biggest football competition, which is set to take centre stage in the Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11.

Peseiro boasts of Nigeria’s attack

Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro believes his Nigeria squad has the greatest attack amongst other teams heading to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, The Guardian reports.

The Portuguese listed eight players in the Super Eagles' final 25-man squad, which comprised Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ahmed Musa, Umar Sadiq, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Samuel Chukwueze.

All eight forwards have scored a combined total of 45 goals in all competitions for their various clubs this season.

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Osimhen missing from Super Eagles camp

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is yet to join the Super Eagles squad in their Abu Dhabi camp, as 17 players have turned up on the opening day of camping for AFCON.

Ahmed Musa, the team captain, was among the first to arrive to camp, and he was joined by fellow AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, and Olorunleke Ojo, Soccernet reports.

Other players also in the Super Eagles camp include Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey of Fulham, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Raphael and Bright Osayi-Samuel.