“Nigeria cannot win 2023 AFCON” — Samson SiaSia

Former Nigerian football striker and ex-head coach of the Nigeria national team, Samson Siasia, has expressed doubts about the Super Eagles’ chances of clinching victory in the upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), citing concerns stemming from their recent lackluster performances in friendly matches.

Siasia, a key member of the victorious 1994 AFCON Super Eagles squad, emphasized the imperative for the team to elevate their performance levels significantly to contend for the coveted AFCON title, particularly following underwhelming displays against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

As anticipation builds for the 2023 AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, the less-than-impressive outcomes in recent matches have stirred worries among patriotic Nigerians rooting for the team’s fourth AFCON triumph.

Highlighting the need for an elevated standard, Siasia stressed that both the players and the technical staff must raise their game to make a substantial impact at the imminent tournament.

Expressing his concerns in an interview with Channels Television, Siasia voiced worries shared by many Nigerians regarding the team’s lack of vigor in recent performances. He cautioned that struggling against teams like Lesotho and Zimbabwe doesn’t bode well for a team aiming for AFCON glory and qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

“Let us not deceive ourselves, we cannot be the best in Africa with this disorganized team. Our players must grasp the significance of donning the green and white jersey, while the coach needs to refine the tactical approach,” remarked the former striker regarding Jose Peseiro’s squad.

The Super Eagles are slated to kick off their 2023 AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14 at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, followed by matches against hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau on January 18 and 22, respectively.

Manchester United identify another €100 million player for January