Champions
Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, insisted at the weekend that his team’s “fighting spirit” will make Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations champions for a fourth time in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Super Eagles booked a place in the semi-finals after defeating Angola 1-0 on Friday.
“I believe in the mentality of this team, the fighting spirit and that’s the thing that’s going to make us champions,” Troost-Ekong said.
It is 11 years since Nigeria last won AFCON in South Africa after previously lifting the title 1980 and 1994.
“It wasn’t the most beautiful game – I think we have to give credit to Angola as well,” added the 30-year-old centre-back.
“We made it a little bit difficult for ourselves at some moments. We need to be better when we are in possession and we gave away the ball too many times.
In Friday’s quarter final clash with Angola, Napoli star striker, Victor Osimhen, had a goal ruled out for offside and, despite being praised for his performances, has scored only once at this AFCON.
It is the defensive qualities of this Nigeria side which are gaining plaudits and defensive midfielder Semi Ajayi stressed this Nations Cup run is not about individuals.
“I think the beauty of this team is that we’ve got so many weapons,” the West Bromwich Albion player, 30, said.
“You can’t really put all your attention on one person because we have so many people who are capable of creating and scoring.
“We’re not done yet. We’ve still got another another game on Wednesday, and hopefully another game on Sunday.
“We came here to win, so full focus goes towards Wednesday now,” Ajayi concluded.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are not only dancing with joy after they sealed their qualification to the AFCON semifinal at the expense of Angola, but because they have begun to receive bonus payment alerts.
SCORENigeria reports yesterday that some of the players received payment alert of $12,500 for the team’s 2-0 win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the AFCON Round of 16.
The players are also due $30,000-a-man for going past the group stage of the tournament
The glory seeking Super Eagles will for the first time at this AFCON leave Abidjan today for the northern Ivorian town of Bouake, where they await their semifinal opponents.
Bouake, where in 1989 a Daniel Amokachi-inspired Ranchers Bees won the sub-regional WAFU Cup at the expense of home team ASEC Mimosas, is an hour’s flight from Abidjan.
