Cote d’Ivoire’s midfielder, Seko Fofana, has set the stage for an intense showdown as he labels the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, as a “big opponent” ahead of their upcoming clash. Fofana stressed the importance of hard work and determination for his team to secure a victory.
In their first game, the Elephants secured a convincing 2-0 win against Guinea-Bissau’s Djurtus. However, they anticipate a more demanding encounter against Nigeria, a formidable opponent with three African Cup of Nations titles under their belt. The Super Eagles are keen for a win, having settled for a draw in their initial match against Equatorial Guinea.
Expressing the gravity of the forthcoming match, Fofana emphasized the need for Jean-Louis Gasset’s squad to prepare for a grueling battle against their West African counterparts. In an interview with CAFonline, Fofana, who earned the Man of the Match accolade in Cote d’Ivoire’s triumph over Guinea-Bissau, stated, “I know how decisive this match is, Nigeria wants to win this match and they are a very big opponent. We are ready, there is no doubt about it. It will be up to us to approach the match with the right spirit and work hard for victory.”
As the AFCON 2023 tournament unfolds, the anticipation for this high-stakes encounter between Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria continues to build, promising an electrifying spectacle for football enthusiasts and patriots alike.