AFCON 2023: Why Super Eagles Are Under Pressure to Win Tournament

• Emmanuel Amuneke says Nigeria is under pressure to win AFCON 2023
• The Super Eagles are bidding to win the competition for the fourth time
• Nigeria are among the 24 teams participating in the 2023 Ivorian edition

The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, and Nigeria has been tagged as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

The Super Eagles, champions in 1980, 1994, and 2013, have failed to reach the finals of Africa’s biggest football championship since winning the competition over ten years ago under Steven Keshi.

According to The Punch, Emmanuel Amuneke believes the Super Eagles are under pressure to win the 2023 tournament but has cautioned against relying heavily on Victor Osimhen.

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"I don’t think we should put any pressure on anybody, including Victor; there are 23 players in the squad and there is pressure on all of them to win.

"Victor won’t win the AFCON on his own for Nigeria. There are other players who are going to chip in and help the team win the tournament or go as far as they can."

Nigeria has been placed in Group A alongside host country Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.

Super Eagles get friendly opponents

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced the Super Eagles will play a tune-up friendly game against Guinea in preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Soccernet reports.

The friendly game, which will take place in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, will be Nigeria’s solitary friendly game before the continental tournament kicks off on January 13.

The Super Eagles open their AFCON campaign on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea, then face Ivory Coast in their second game before closing the group stages against Guinea-Bissau.

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Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON winning squad

Sports Brief previously reported Nigeria are gearing up for their 20th Africa Cup of Nations appearance. As giants in African football, they are always considered favourites.

However, the Super Eagles last won the trophy a decade ago under the late great Stephen Keshi, after beating Burkina Faso in the final at the event hosted in South Africa.

Nigeria's triumph in 2013 was their last AFCON crown and they have not come close to repeating that success since claiming that third title at the continental tournament.