The Secretary General of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is optimistic that the Super Eagles will live up to expectations of Nigerians in the African Nations Cup holding in Cote d’Ivoire.
Sanusi, who spoke with The Guardian, yesterday, from the team’s camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, stated that the he is impressed with the players’ level of commitment in training as well as the input from the technical crew.
“I am with the team here in Abu Dhabi, alongside the chairman of Technical Committee of the NFF, and from what I have seen so far, the Super Eagles are looking good for the AFCON. The players are showing great commitment, and everyone is really focused on the task ahead, which is the AFCON tournament,” Sanusi stated.
He revealed the team will face the Syli National of Guinea as part of preparations for the AFCON. The game is billed for tomorrow, January 8 in Abu Dhabi.
However, President of the Ivorian Football Federation, Yacine Idriss Diallo, has a contrary view; as he ignored the Super Eagles in his choice of the top three countries he counts to be favourites at the AFCON.
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According to soccernet.ng, Diallo, 63, was optimistic about his country’s performance in the tournament, which is set to start in six days time, claiming they are well prepared, but aren’t favourites.
Despite the attacking prowess of Super Eagles, and recent crowning of Victor Osimhen as African Player of the Year, Diallo, who spoke to FourFourTwo, did not include the Super Eagles as one of his favourites to go all the way in Cote d’Ivoire.
Meanwhile, South African referee, Akohona Makalima, is set to become the first woman in history to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Makalima is one of the referees shortlisted by the Confederation of Africans to officiate at the 2023 AFCON finals.
The 35-year-old is one of the most popular women’s referees in Africa.
She has been on the FIFA list since 2014.
Makalima was part of FIFA’s officiating pool for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The arbiter holds a national diploma in human resource management from King Hintsa FET College.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, January 13, with the hosts taking on Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
