SUPER Eagles forwards, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, have both stressed that the team will not underestimate their next opponent, Guinea Bissau, when the two sides meet in their last Group A game of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau in their third Group A of the AFCON on Monday at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan.
Following a lackluster 1-1 draw in their opening match against Equatorial Guinea last Sunday, Jose Peseiro’s men displayed resilience and determination, clinching a crucial win against the Ivory Coast in their second group game on Thursday.
The Eagles secured a 1-0 win over the Elephants with Osimhen emerging as the standout player in the thrilling encounter at the Stade Alassane Ouattara which had 49,517 home crowd.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 55th minute when the Napoli striker won a penalty which was expertly converted by William Troost-Ekong to secure the lead.
Named Man of the Match, an elated Osimhen emphasised the significance of overcoming the formidable host nation.
“It’s a beautiful victory; we knew we would face a strong Ivory Coast team,” he said.
Acknowledging the importance of the challenge posed by Ivory Coast, Osimhen added, “This match was a significant test for us, and we are thrilled to have overcome it.”
Assuring a consistent approach in upcoming matches, the 24-year-old emphasised adopting the same mentality displayed against the Elephants.
“In the first match, we had numerous chances that we didn’t capitalise on. Today (Thursday) wasn’t different; we maintained the same mentality, and we hope this victory brings joy to everyone. We will carry this mindset into the remainder of the competition,” he pledged.
Looking ahead to their next game against the Guineans, who are without a point in the group, Osimhen emphasised not underestimating their opponent.
He stated, “We aim for a strong performance against Guinea-Bissau. They will undoubtedly approach the game with determination, and we won’t underestimate any team, considering what they’ve done to qualify.”
Preparing for their third and final round of Group A match, Chukwueze believes the team has shown everyone that the Eagles are serious about adding to their three continental titles.
“We played with our hearts. The game against Ivory Coast showed we are ready to fight for AFCON title,” he said.
“This group is complicated but the most important game now is the last game.
“There is no small country in this AFCON and Guinea-Bissau are good. We’ve played them twice in qualifying and we lost one.
“We need to win the last game to top the group and ensure we qualify for the next round.”