Former Nigerian international and ex-Eagles defender, George Abbey, recently shared his skepticism regarding the Super Eagles’ prospects of clinching victory in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Despite the team’s aspiration to secure their fourth AFCON title at the 34th edition of the competition, Abbey believes that the current crop of players in the squad may not be well-equipped for such a feat.
Having made 18 appearances for the Eagles and being part of the squad that won bronze at the 2004 edition in Tunisia, Abbey expressed his concern over the team’s readiness for the grand stage. Despite the team’s recent success in ending their 15-game winless streak in friendly matches, Abbey suggests that it is important to assess the present condition before nurturing excessive optimism.
“As a country, we maintain our patriotic spirit, often overlooking the present scenario,” remarked Abbey. “Comparing this current team to our 2013 squad, I believe the latter overachieved given the caliber of opponents they faced.”
Even if the team were to have a miraculous addition of a prime Vincent Enyeama as their goalkeeper, Abbey remains unconvinced of their chances of securing victory in AFCON. He expressed hope that the team would defy his expectations, but his doubts persist.
Scheduled for January 2024, the delayed 2023 AFCON will witness the three-time African champions face the hosts, Ivory Coast, as well as Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in the initial round of the tournament.
