The Super Eagles of Nigeria are the surprised team of the 2023 AFCON tournament in Cote d'Ivoire. Despite boasting a great history in the continental showpiece, Nigeria were not among the top African teams tipped to win the tournament or go all the way to the final.
The high-ranking African teams such as Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, and Ghana led the list of teams who were expected to leave their marks in the tournament.
Notably, Nigeria lost their last AFCON preparatory friendly against Guinea, stumbling to a 2-0 defeat. Their AFCON opener against Equatorial Guinea was less promising as they settled for a dramatic 1-1 draw. The atmosphere among Nigeria fans started wearing a promising outlook when the team edged pass tournament hosts Ivory Coast by a lone goal thanks to a converted spot-kick by William-Troost Ekong.
After the victory over the Elephants, the Super Eagles' fairytale progress in the footballing showpiece has continued. They won their last group game against Guinea-Bissau, eliminated Cameroon with a 2-0 victory in round 16, edged out Angola 1-0 in the quarterfinal, and scraped pass South Africa in the semi-final via penalties to reach the final.
While head coach Jose Peseiro's tactics has been instrumental in the three-time AFCON champions' triumphant sail, team captain William-Troost Ekong has revealed salient dressing room dynamics that has contributed immensely to the success of the team.
Speaking ahead of the AFCON final showdown against Cote D'Ivoire, the Poak Thessaloniki defender revealed the desire of the players to make history as young players has fueled their superlative individual performances that has translated to collective success.
He also added that unity among the players irrespective of the pedigree of their respective clubs has also played a role in the progress of the team.
"I think all of us are now playing in respectable teams in respect of the leagues, one or two in better teams than others, but everyone is young and wants to prove something, and that's what probably makes us a good team.
"We are all in this together, and as soon as we arrived at the camp, I don't think anyone thought about what club they played for. It's a real brotherhood going on. That's making us play well."
"We don't have any superstars in our team. Before, there were generations in Nigeria that had a lot of players playing in big teams.
Nigeria will hope to win their 4th AFCON trophy and end their 10-year wait for an AFCON crown when they take on Cote D'Ivoire in the final of the tournament on Sunday, February, 11.
The high-ranking African teams such as Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, and Ghana led the list of teams who were expected to leave their marks in the tournament.
Notably, Nigeria lost their last AFCON preparatory friendly against Guinea, stumbling to a 2-0 defeat. Their AFCON opener against Equatorial Guinea was less promising as they settled for a dramatic 1-1 draw. The atmosphere among Nigeria fans started wearing a promising outlook when the team edged pass tournament hosts Ivory Coast by a lone goal thanks to a converted spot-kick by William-Troost Ekong.
After the victory over the Elephants, the Super Eagles' fairytale progress in the footballing showpiece has continued. They won their last group game against Guinea-Bissau, eliminated Cameroon with a 2-0 victory in round 16, edged out Angola 1-0 in the quarterfinal, and scraped pass South Africa in the semi-final via penalties to reach the final.
While head coach Jose Peseiro's tactics has been instrumental in the three-time AFCON champions' triumphant sail, team captain William-Troost Ekong has revealed salient dressing room dynamics that has contributed immensely to the success of the team.
Speaking ahead of the AFCON final showdown against Cote D'Ivoire, the Poak Thessaloniki defender revealed the desire of the players to make history as young players has fueled their superlative individual performances that has translated to collective success.
He also added that unity among the players irrespective of the pedigree of their respective clubs has also played a role in the progress of the team.
"I think all of us are now playing in respectable teams in respect of the leagues, one or two in better teams than others, but everyone is young and wants to prove something, and that's what probably makes us a good team.
"We are all in this together, and as soon as we arrived at the camp, I don't think anyone thought about what club they played for. It's a real brotherhood going on. That's making us play well."
"We don't have any superstars in our team. Before, there were generations in Nigeria that had a lot of players playing in big teams.
Nigeria will hope to win their 4th AFCON trophy and end their 10-year wait for an AFCON crown when they take on Cote D'Ivoire in the final of the tournament on Sunday, February, 11.