The 5 Elements Super Eagles Need to Emerge as AFCON 2023 Champions

• Mutiu Adepoju believes the Super Eagles can win the AFCON 2023 title
• The ex-Nigeria winger stated that discipline and teamwork will be key
• Nigeria is bidding to the AFCON trophy for a fourth time in Ivory Coast

Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju has outlined five key factors that will be crucial for the Super Eagles to emerge as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions.

With the 34th edition of Africa’s flagship football competition set for January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast, Nigeria has been tagged as one of the favourites for the trophy.

In an exclusive chat with Sports Brief, Adepoju - who represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cups - stated what he felt were the five keys for the Super Eagles to win the tournament.

AFCON 2023: Ex Nigeria player Samson Siasia backs Super Eagles for title

Football

"There are things like willpower, determination and teamwork, everybody thinking in the same direction. These are the elements that are needed to win the tournament. Above all, they need co-operation and all of them thinking in the same direction and having the same objectives and discipline."

Nigeria, paired in Group A alongside Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau, will kick off their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.

Chukwueze, Nwabali joins Eagles camp

Meanwhile, AC Milan winger, Samuel Chukwueze and Chippa United goalie, Stanley Nwabali have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, ahead of AFCON, Punch reports.

The three-time African champions are in the UAE for a one-week training camp that will last until next Tuesday. They are anticipated to arrive in Lagos the same day before travelling to Abidjan, Ivory Coast on January 10.

The total number of players presently in the Super Eagles camp has risen to 22, with Napoli frontman and reigning Africa Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, expected to arrive later today (Thursday).

AFCON 2023: Ex Nigeria International Backs Osimhen and Boniface to Lead Super Eagles to Glory

Football

Ndidi dropped from Nigeria squad

Sports Brief also previously reported Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out of the 2023 AFCON due to injury, the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed.

The 27-year-old midfielder was initially included in Jose Peseiro’s final 25-man squad, but it is now confirmed that he will not be joining the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Royal Antwerp midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf has been drafted in as a replacement for the injured Ndidi, and the 23-year-old has already linked up with the team at the training camp.