A lot of people have been making predictions ahead of the senior national team of Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations game against Ivory Coast, which will take place today by 6pm, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria started the game on a not too impressive note drawing 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea, while Ivory Coast who are the host of the tournament got off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.
The game which is seen as the biggest fixture in the group has drawn lot of reactions and joining in on the debate ahead of the game is out of favor Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
37 year old Akpeyi, who was in goal for the team at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations said Ivory Coast will get the win they need to progress to the next round of the tournament, saying a Nigerian win will be an upset.
“It’s going to be a tough game against Ivory Coast as they are the host country. I am giving it to the hosts because they will have a huge support at the stadium but again this is football and anything can happen. I remember in 2019 Bafana defeated Egypt when they were the hosts, so if Nigeria show up they can upset Ivory Coast,” Akpeyi said.
Akpeyi who is now at PSL side Moroka Swallows went further to explain why the Super Eagles are not a force in Africa despite the availability of so many talented players, he faults the coach Jose Peseiro saying he has been unable to have them play as a unit.
“You might say the Super Eagles are a good team because almost all the players play overseas for some of the big teams in Europe but then again it’s a different ball game when you come together in the national team. You can have individuals but it’s very difficult to have a team and that [to have a team] depends on the coach to build a team. There are other factors like injuries that put the team on the back foot,” Akpeyi said on the sidelines of the PSL Player Transition Programme launch in Sandton on Monday.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
