AFCON 2023: Mutiu Adepoju discloses what Nigeria lacked in the final against Ivory Coast

The Super Eagles of Nigeria stumbled at the final hurdle of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against the host nation, Ivory Coast.

Despite being heavily favoured to secure the title, especially given their impressive performances leading up to the final, the West African nation suffered a disappointing defeat.

Second-half goals from midfielder, Franck Kessie, and forward, Sebastien Haller, were enough to secure the title for Emerse Fae's side.

However, in the aftermath of the final, and amid the current coaching vacancy for the Super Eagles, former Nigeria midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, has disclosed what the team missed during the AFCON final against Ivory Coast.

Adepoju speaks on Nigeria’s AFCON final defeat

In an interview with Sports Brief, the 53-year-old explained what he deems the Super Eagles missed in the highly pulsating final against Ivory Coast.

“Well, I think we knew how the team played before the AFCON and how they played when they got to the tournament proper — strong in defence and the rest.
Unfortunately, in the final, the Super Eagles failed to turn up as many would have anticipated. We didn’t play up to expectation compared to what they have been playing in previous rounds, and sadly, we lost.”

The sentiments of the 1994 AFCON winner echo those of many Nigerian football stakeholders. It's widely acknowledged that the Super Eagles' defeat was largely due to a noticeable drop in intensity and performance on the night.

The three-time Cup of Nations winners now have an opportunity for redemption, with the 2025 edition of the tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco in about 13 months.