In an exclusive interview with Sports247, Dr. Ken Gadaffi, a Nigerian residing in Cambodia and an adviser to the Cambodian Olympic Committee, shared his insights on the Super Eagles of Nigeria and their performance in the ongoing AFCON campaign.
Commending the team’s qualification to the quarterfinals, Dr Gadaffi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances of securing the title for the fourth time.
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“Kudos to the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their qualification to the quarterfinals. Well, personally, I think the Super Eagles are on the rise and they’re looking now like favourites to win the title for the fourth time,” Dr. Ken Gadaffi stated, acknowledging the team’s progress in the tournament.
Despite a less-than-ideal start, Dr. Ken Gadaffi emphasized the Super Eagles’ resurgence as the competition advances. He highlighted the unexpected exits of highly-rated teams, making the path clearer for Nigeria. However, he cautioned against underestimating upcoming challenges, particularly the quarterfinal clash with Angola.
“I wouldn’t want to say they are favourites now because, as you have seen, most of the favourites going into the tournament, the top five teams that were highly rated based on their FIFA ranking, have all gone out,” Dr Gadaffi noted, citing the surprising eliminations of Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Egypt, and Morocco.
Regarding the upcoming match against Angola, Dr Gadaffi acknowledged the potential challenges posed by the opposition’s historical performance and recent victories. He emphasized the need for the Super Eagles to focus on each game and urged caution against overlooking Angola.
“I expect the Super Eagles to really come out stronger and try to get the result that is so desired,” Dr. Ken Gadaffi stated, acknowledging the importance of the upcoming encounter. Despite potential challenges, he expressed confidence in Coach Jose Peseiro’s ability to strategize effectively.
As the Super Eagles prepare to face Angola, Dr Gadaffi’s insights provide a nuanced perspective on Nigeria’s AFCON journey, reflecting cautious optimism and recognition of the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
