Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have secured their ticket to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). They emerged as Group A leaders in the AFCON qualifiers, having amassed a commanding 15 points out of a possible 18.

The draw for the 2023 AFCON placed Nigeria alongside the host nation and two-time champions, Ivory Coast, as well as Guinea-Bissau, whom they encountered in the qualification phase, and Equatorial Guinea. The football community in Nigeria dubbed this group as the ‘Group of Death’ due to the strong competition it promises.

Some believe that Nigeria’s biggest challenge will come from Ivory Coast, who have the home advantage and a roster of star players. The Ivorian team boasts talents like Sebastien Haller, Wilfred Zaha, Simon Adingra, Evan Ndicka, Ibrahim Sangare, and Frank Kessie.

Ivorian Chelsea legend Didier Drogba expressed his anticipation for the forthcoming match between Ivory Coast and the Super Eagles in the 2023 AFCON.

“It is a very difficult group. Nigeria is, of course, one of the favourites, and having them in our group is going to be an exciting challenge,” he said.

“But we are up for it. This is the beauty of a competition like AFCON, so we are ready to take on the challenge and let the best teams of this group and all the groups qualify.”

Nigeria has participated in the AFCON 20 times and clinched the title three times, with their most recent triumph in 2013 under the late Stephen Keshi.

José Peseiro, the Super Eagles’ coach, is now aiming to follow in the footsteps of Otto Glória and Clemens Westerhof by becoming the third foreign coach to guide Nigeria to AFCON glory.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is the 34th edition of the competition, with the first one held in 1957. The highly anticipated tournament is set to kick off on January 13, 2024, and will conclude on February 11.

Nigeria’s performance in AFCON qualifiers

Nigeria has long been considered one of the strongest football teams in Africa, and this reputation has not gone unnoticed by fans and the sports betting community. Many established football crypto betting websites had featured Nigeria as one of the favourites for betting in African football.

William Barbosa, the assistant coach of São Tomé and Principe, praised Nigeria’s football prowess, ranking them as the second-best team on the continent, just behind Senegal.

“Nigeria has some of the best players in Africa, quality players in the best leagues in the world. At the moment, after Senegal, Nigeria has the best team in Africa,” he said.

In their last qualification match, the Super Eagles displayed their dominance by defeating São Tomé and Principe with a 6-0 victory at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick led the charge, propelling Nigeria to secure their place in the 2023 AFCON.

Goals from Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in the first half set the tone, while Taiwo Awoniyi, Osimhen (penalty kick), and an additional second-half goal from Osimhen, along with Samuel Chukwueze’s contribution, sealed the resounding victory for the Super Eagles.

Osimhen’s remarkable performance earned him the top scorer title in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with an impressive tally of 10 goals.