AFCON 2023: Mikel optimistic about Super Eagles chances

Former Nigeria captain, John Mikel, Obi has stated that the Super Eagles are always one of the favourites to win the title at every outing of the Africa Cup of Nations with the upcoming event in Ivory Coast inclusive.

Drawn in Group A against tournament hosts, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, the Eagles are one of the teams that are expected to do well and potentially go all the way.

“We are always favourites, this is every time we go into the tournament and it’s no different this time,” the former Chelsea midfielder told CAFonline.

“Everyone knows that we are one of the favourites – not the massive favourite but definitely one of the favourites.”

Nigeria will be gunning for a fourth AFCON title after previously lifting the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013 when Mikel was part of the team. They were also runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000.

“To be able to do it again will be a massive achievement for us which I think the country needs right now as well. We need to get our football back where it should be and by winning this tournament, it will take it back to where it should be.

“Football has changed dramatically, and I think this group of players are a good young team and play a different brand of football than we did so let’s hope we can see a good performance from the Nigerian team,” he said.

The Super Eagles will kick-off their campaign on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea before facing the hosts four days later in what will be a repeat of the 2013 edition quarter-final that saw them overcome Ivory Coast 2-1.

They conclude the group campaign with a match against Guinea-Bissau on January 22.