The 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has already made its mark as far as entertainment is concerned and with at least two Match Days gone, the favorites are sticking out clearly.

 While top nations have stepped up and lived to the billing, some have so far disappointed. Ghana for one, have not served the expectations of the fans and their star studded side has so far left the pitch disappointed twice. Algeria, the holders are at risk of failing to make it to the second round and we can’t wait for Match Day 3 action.

 Nigeria on the other hand, have had this smooth sailing and a perfect start has the Super Eagles in the second round after the opening two rounds. Cameroon have also been impressive, with two wins in two and already, there are expectations and predictions of these two meeting in the final eventually.

 The previews and predictions on SportyTrader have been good on these two giants of African football and rightly so, with eight titles between them. Heading to this competition, Nigeria wished for three things; a good start, winning the title and exerting revenge. A good start has been achieved and the remaining two could go on concurrently.

 The big question would be, what is there to be revenged for? This has to go back to the year 2000, when a sharp spear was stuck deep in the hearts of every Nigerian fan. Nigeria. Hosting the AFCON in that year, they reached the final, where they faced off with Cameroon on February 13th.

 With much optimism, and backed with a good run, Nigeria entered the final as favorites, backed by home fans and with an array of star players. The title was theirs for the taking and having just emerged from years of military rule, there wasn’t a better moment to crown it all. However, Cameroon had other ideas, taking a 2-0 lead, and going on to win on post match penalties after Nigeria fought back to equalize.

 Nigeria suffered the loss courtesy of penalty misses from Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba and while it was not the first time they lost in the final against Cameroon, this was the most painful as it was at home and on the back of a great run for Nigeria.

 It is the reason a final pitting Nigeria and Cameroon is the dream for most on the African continent. For Nigeria it will be a chance to not only add to their three titles but also get revenge for the defeat inflicted on home soil 22 years ago.

 Nigeria have also lost to Cameroon in the AFCON final in 1988 and 1984. A meeting between these two giants and rivals of African football is always a spectacle and Nigeria can grab their prize after a near calamitous start to preparations, dominated by club and country conflicts.

 Such push and pulls have seen Nigeria play at this competition without three key players – Emmanuel Dennis, Victor Osimhem and Odion Ighalo, all who had been called up. However, so far the Super Eagles haven’t shown signs of missing the trio.

Interim coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen says he is open to the idea of leading Nigeria in a permanent capacity after the Africa Cup of Nations.

Eguavoen is on a short term agreement to manage the team for the AFCON before handing over to Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro who has been announced as the new substantive coach of the team by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

NFF via a press release said, the Portuguese will take over as coach after the AFCON and he will be in Cameroon to monitor the team at close quarters sequel to his taking over as coach immediately after the tournament.

However per checks done by OwnGoalNigeria.com, the Portuguese isn’t in Cameroon as said by the NFF and speaking ahead of tomorrow’s last group game against Guinea Bissau, Eguavoen voiced his intention to stay on as coach.

Reacting to a question on the fact that some Nigerians tagged him the best in the world owing to how he has transformed the Nigerian team at the AFCON after two games, he thanked them for the accolades and voiced his desire to stay on as coach if he is asked to.

“Thanks to all of them. I quite appreciate that. The truth is nobody is the best in the world. If they give me the job why not”, he said at the pre match conference

“This questions have come many many times but I’m very happy with the position I occupy with the Nigeria Football Federation and yes.

“If they asked me for it, yes and when we get to that river we will cross,” he concluded.

Guinea Bissau coach Baciro Candé has revealed how his team intends to punish the Super Eagles of Nigeria in tomorrow’s Africa Cup of Nations game.

Candé’s team are facing the possibility of elimination from the tournament if they fail to get a win against Nigeria who are already through to the round of 16 after winning their first two game.

The Nigerian team has been rated as one of the best team in the tournament so far but Candé’ says they have their weak side which he hopes his team will capitalise on tomorrow.

He however said his team will play their usual game even though they need the three points more than the Super Eagles who are sure to finish as group winners.

“Nigeria is one of the best teams in Africa. A very strong side. We will play our game and hope that Nigeria makes a mistake, some errors and may be luck will smile on us”, he said.

“We know that no matter how strong a team is, there is always a weak side and we hope to capitalise on that as we play Nigeria”.

Interim coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen says the team need will approach tomorrow’s AFCON 2021 game against Guinea Bissau with the seriousness it deserves even though it’s of no essence to the Nigerian team.

Super Eagles are already through to the round of 16 as group winners following wins over Egypt and Sudan respectively rendering tomorrow’s game inconsequential to them but Eguavoen insist they won’t take it easy on their opponents.

“We will not take our foot off the pedal. We will respect our opponents. We will have the same enthusiasm”, he said at the pre match conference ahead of tomorrow’s game.

Reacting to the area of the team that he thinks should be improved on before the round of 16 starts, the coach pointed out the poor conversation rate of his team as they should be scoring more base on the chances they create in games.

“It is not expected that the game will be smooth for 90 minutes. Our major concern is conversion. We have worked on that and we hope to see improvements”, he said.

The vice captain of the senior national team William Troost Ekong has aimed a dig at the ex coach of the team Gernot Rohr as they get set to take on Guinea Bissau.

Rohr was sacked few weeks to the start of the Africa Cup of Nations with technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Austine Eguavoen taking up the rein as interim coach.

Eguavoen has won over faithfuls of the team who have been impressed not just by the results but by the way the team is playing at the Africa Cup of Nations where they have won their first two games.

With top spot already guaranteed, the team will tomorrow take on Guinea Bissau in a dead rubber tie to the Nigerian team and Ekong was asked on the impact of Eguavoen in the team since taking over as coach.

“I don’t think there is any surprises. We have kept that believe in the team. We still managed to qualify for AFCON and pulled through to the World Cup playoffs. You can’t guarantee same game all the time. With the new coach there is fresh air. Everyone want to prove themselves”, he said.

Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has been paid the five months salary he is owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The coach was paid the amount in Naira to clear off the backlog he is owed into his Nigerian account but he has been unable to gain entry into Nigeria as his work permit has expired plus he doesn’t have a visa.

It means he hasn’t been able to sort the issue out and sources close to the coach revealed he is bitter over the decision of the NFF to pay the money into his Nigerian account.

” They paid the money into his Nigerian account. He can’t access it unless he comes to Nigeria and he can’t come to Nigeria because he has no work permit or a visa to enable him do so. He is unhappy over the entire issue but it’s the NFF hence he isn’t surprised”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

Rohr according to our source is still entitled to one year of his salary per the terms of his contract as it was terminated with no just cause judging by the fact that he met all of the clauses in the deal.

“Apparently the NFF are trying to avoid paying him the remainder of his salary as stated in his contract. It’s something that they can’t win as it is written”, he concluded.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen will make six changes to the Super Eagles of Nigeria team that will prosecute the last group game against Guinea Bissau, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Eguavoen will hand rest to goalkepper Maduka Okoye with Francis Uzoho set to start in goal. Also Kenneth Omeruo will be given a rest with Semi Ajayi set to play alongside William Troost Ekong in central defence.

Tyrone Ebuehi and Jamilu Collins will take the place of Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi respectively with Kelechi Nwakali coming in for Joe Aribo to pair Wilfred Ndidi in the midfield. Kelechi Iheanacho keeps his spot behind the main striker.

In attack, the duo of Alex Iwobi and Chidera Ejuke will play on either flanks leaving Peter Olayinka as the top striker in the game which is of no consequence to Nigeria as they are already winners of their group.

Starting XI: Uzoho – Ebuehi, Ekong, Semi, Collins – Ndidi, Nwakali, Iheanacho, Iwobi, Ejuke & Olayinka

Players of the senior national team of Nigeria currently at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations have thrown their weight behind the jersey of Authentic Nigeria Football & Allied Sports Supportes club meant to support them at the tournament.

A host of the players who have so far piloted Nigeria to the knock out round of the tournament following two consecutive wins in their first two games of the tournament endorsed the shirt by the group.

Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon and Wilfred Ndidi were among the players of the team who identify with leading group in terms of supporting the senior national team of Nigeria.

Responding to their gesture, President of ANFASSC Abayomi Ogunjimi said it’s a testament that the players recognise their efforts in ensuring that they get the best of support when they are on the pitch.

” We are excited that the players know our worth. It’s a reminder to them as well that they carry the weight of over 120 million Nigerians on their shoulders. They know we have their back when they need us and we hope to see them all the way to the title”, he concluded.

Super Eagles rave of the moment Moses Simon says team glory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations comes ahead of any desire of his to finish as the most valuable player of the tournament (MVP).

The Nantes of France winger has impressed in the two games the Super Eagles have played so far with a goal and an assist to his name in the Super Eagles 3-1 win over Sudan. He also picked up the man of the match award.

26 year old Simon is viewed by many as one of the best players of the tournament so far and the question was put before him as Nigeria get set to take on Guinea Bissau in their final group game.

“I don’t think about the MVP, I want the team to always achieve victory and then the Cup. We just want to take things step by step”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com

“I can’t pinpoint one team that could be a threat. All the 24 teams are good, we don’t need to fear anyone. We just need to be prepared for whatever comes our way”.

He was asked if he sees the history of the host nation Cameroon against Nigeria as an edge if both teams clash at the tournament. He said the present team of Nigeria will go all out to change the narrative.

“Cameroon? In the past it was different set of players that faced Cameroon. This time around we would go all out and change our plans”, he concluded.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen says their is no basis to compare Almeria striker Sadiq Umar with his international teammate Taiwo Awoniyi of Union Berlin.

Sadiq has played second fiddle to the Union Berlin forward who scored his first goal at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Sudan in what was his second consecutive start.

In both games, Sadiq was introduced as a substitute for Awoniyi but he is still yet to find his rythm leading to calls for him to be axed but Eguavoen has defended the lanky striker. He said the team doesn’t rely on the strikers for goals, naming Joe Aribo as one of the players with the responsibility to score goals for the team.

“Sadiq and Awoniyi are different type of players, that doesn’t mean they can’t score goals. Awoniyi has been scoring goals in the German League, same with Sadiq. The good thing is that we aren’t giving responsibility for one player to score goals. We have given Aribo the freedom to score goals. He has done that very well. Anybody in this team can score. We are trying to play to our strengths”, he explained.

Last season the 24 year old finished as top scorer in the Spanish second division with 20 goals from 40 games aside the six goals he scored at Partizan Belgrade before his move on transfer deadline day last season.

He is in line for his first start of the tournament when Nigeria take on Guinea Bissau in their final group game which is a dead rubber tie for the Nigerian team, who are certain to finish as group winners.