National Teams
AFCON 2023: Yaya Toure rules Nigeria out of continental glory in Cote d’Ivoire
By: Monsurah Olatunji
Ivory Coast legend, has ruled Nigeria out of the list of favorites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder has listed his top four favorites to win the prestigious tournament slated to kick off on January 13 in Ivory Coast, with the Super Eagles and the Elephants unlisted.
Nigeria is drawn in Group A alongside with Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, with Equatorial Guinea completing the quartet.
And Toure, who won the 2015 AFCON with Ivory Coast, believes Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau will make it past the group stage to the Round of 16 at the expense of the Super Eagles despite boasting of reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen in their fold.
According to him, teams that impressed during the Afcon qualifiers would bring their momentum to Ivory Coast.
“It’s normal to have a preference for your own country,” Toure said, as per Afrique Sports.
“Côte d’Ivoire has a strong team and many talented and experienced players.
“But if I had to choose the teams I think are favorites, I’d say Senegal, Morocco, Guinea-Bissau, and South Africa. They had an impressive qualifying campaign.”
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