National Teams

AFCON 2023: Five Nigeria players to watch vs Equatorial Guinea

Published

1 year ago

10:21 pm

AFCON 2023: Five Nigeria players to watch vs Equatorial Guinea

By: Monsurah Olatunji

Nigeria will kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign when they take on Equatorial Guinea at the Stade Olympique Allassane Ouattara in Ivory Coast on Sunday.

The team, aiming for its fourth AFCON title, has a mix of experienced and emerging talents. NigeriaFootball.ng bring you the top five Nigerian players that can give the Super Eagles an edge over their opponents.

VICTOR OSIMHEN

• Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, coming off a remarkable season is undoubtedly the spearhead of the Super Eagles’ attack.

The CAF Player of the Year award winner scored thirty-one goals in all competitions last season with his club side, Napoli, winning the Serie A title for the club for the first time in over three decades.

The 25-year-old scored the most goals in the AFCON qualifiers and poses the strongest threat to the Equatorial Guinea defense.

ALEX IWOBI

• Playing for Fulham, the ex-Arsenal midfielder has been enjoying life under Marco Silva with four goals.

He is burdened to bring his creativity and versatility to the Nigerian midfield.

Iwobi can open the opposition defense with timely passes and his link-up play with the striker could be crucial in offensive strategies.

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SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE

• Known for his dribbling skills, pace, and ability to take on defenders, Chukwueze will be pivotal in creating chances and providing width to the Super Eagles attack.

His pace, trickery, flair, and cutback will cause the Equatorial Guinea defense unrest, giving the attack an added advantage from the flank.

chukweze samuel milan - Nigeria Football

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN

• The 26-year-old has had a hand in ten goals for Atalanta and he is in red-hot form with a lot to prove to the motherland making his tournament debut.

CALVIN BASSEY:

• The Fulham star is part of the future of the Super Eagles and he is going to be key in this Afcon.

Also making his AFCON debut, the 24-year-old’s display of maturity in his game would be pivotal in the defense in shielding the error-prone goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho.