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Nigeria will face the toughest test so far when they face host Ivory Coast in a crucial Group A encounter
The Super Eagles of Nigeria started AFCON 2023 on a shaky ground - playing out a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, a team everyone expected them to make light walk of.
Nzalang Nacional (the National Thunder) drew first blood against Nigeria before Napoli talisman Victor Osimhen equalised for the Super Eagles.
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12:32 - 12.01.2024
2023 AFCON will be my last - Ahmed Musa says it’s time for younger players
An old statement by Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has resurfaced where he said he's not going to play in another AFCON
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10:56 - 15.01.2024
AFCON2023: Only God can tell if Super Eagles will defeat Cote d'Ivoire - Jose Peseiro
Jose Peseiro and Nigeria Super Eagles are walking a tightrope after a shaky start at Cote d'Ivoire 2023.
Although the overall gameplay by the Super Eagles was the best showing we've seen from them in recent time, there is still room for improvement.
The stakes will be higher when Nigeria face Ivory Coast and they will have to be at their very best to stand any chance.
Going into the game against Ivory Coast, Jose Peseiro needs to adapt quickly and pick the best legs possible and in the right position, too.
Here are 5 players that need to start the decisive encounter with Ivory Coast.
1. Francis Uzoho
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I know many of you are surprised at this and would have probably rushed to read this first.
Yes, Francis Uzoho needs to be in goal for Nigeria on Thursday when we face the Ivorians.
It's true that Stanley Nwabili did almost nothing wrong in Nigeria's first group game but the fact remains that he's untested and cannot be trusted to man the post in such an important match.
Francis Uzoho has come under criticism for poor performance in recent times but he remains the best and the most experienced of the three goalkeepers Jose Peseiro has selected for this tournament.
Uzoho has played at the World Cup, where he impressed and he's also started a UEFA EUROPA league game against Manchester United, frustrating the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford.
Jose Peseiro needs to keep faith in Uzoho and he will deliver against Ivory Coast.
2. Kelechi Iheanacho
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Without mincing words, the Super Eagles missed the impact of Kelechi Iheanacho who was sidelined due to injury.
Fortunately, the former Manchester City man is fit again and would be available for selection for the Ivory Coast game.
Kelechi is Nigeria’s most creative player at the moment and he will be instrumental in helping Victor Osimhen get all the services that he needs to hurt the Ivorian defence.
The 27-year-old Leicester City attacker can also create room for him and finish emphatically. Although Iheanacho has been employed more as a super-sub in recent games, he needs to be one of the first names on Jose Peseiro's list when Nigeria play Ivory Coast.
3. Calvin Bassey
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The centreback pairing of Semi Ajayi and William Troost-Ekong looked shaky and was exploited when Equatorial Guinea drew first blood in the last game.
Fulham’s Calvin Bassey offers an alternative as he can pair Semi Ajayi in the heart of defence. Coach Peseiro has experimented with this before during AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
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18:15 - 14.01.2024
AFCON 2023: 3 tactical mistakes Peseiro made in Super Eagles draw against Equatorial Guinea
The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to defeat lowly Equatorial Guinea and questions must be asked of head coach Jose Peseiro.
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09:26 - 15.01.2024
AFCON2023: Alhassan Yusuf gives Super Eagles massive boost ahead Ivory Coast clash
Alhassan Yusuf was forced off with an injury on his Nigeria Super Eagles debut against Equatorial Guinea at the AFCON2023.
However, I will prefer to see Calvin Bassey at leftback where he made a name at Rangers and Ajax, showcasing his marauding runs down the flanks.
Victor Osimhen will also be licking his lips with the rich supplies of quality crosses that Calvin Bassey can provide from the wide areas.
4. Ademola Lookman
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Ademola Lookman is fast becoming a fan favourite with the Nigeria squad because of his impressive showings in recent games.
The Atalanta man was arguably Nigeria’s best player during the Equatorial Guinea clash, and he provided the assist for Victor Osimhen to equalise.
He moved from midfield to the flanks and was virtually everywhere. Against Ivory Coast, Lookman needs to start from the flanks, with Iheanacho in the no 10 role, while Moses Simon drops to the bench.
5. Victor Osimhen
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Yes, you already know. He needs no introduction. The current African Footballer of the Year should lead the line again for Nigeria when they file out against Ivory Coast.
I know many will point to the sitter he missed against Equatorial Guinea. Any great player can miss that.
However, one thing is certain if Osimhen gets quality service from the midfield, especially in the game against Ivory Coast, you can be sure that he will put them away.
Osimhen’s strike against Equatorial Guinea takes him to number 3 on Super Eagles' all-time highest goalscorers list, level on 21 goals with Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Another player that I will like to see in the starting 11 is Rafael Onyedika to partner Yusuf Alhassan in midfield. If Jose Peseiro fields all of these players then we can be confident of beating Ivory Cost.
However, the buck stops at Peseiro’s table and we’d wait to find out his team selection.
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