Super Eagles defender, William Ekong, acknowledges the higher stakes going into their second AFCON match against hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
While Nigeria secured a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, their upcoming opponents clinched a victory against Guinea-Bissau.
Ekong doesn’t explicitly label the match a must-win but recognizes its significance.
Ekong: “Of course, this second game is more loaded than the first one. From what I’ve seen from the players I don’t think there’s more nerves.
We have many players that play in big stadiums, with big crowds, for big games, and I think that’s what we love to do.”
The Greece-based centre-back acknowledges the strength of The Elephants but asserts Nigeria’s status as a football superpower with the potential to secure its first victory in the competition.
“You come to play in AFCON to play against the best teams in Africa, and after watching the first game, I consider Ivory Coast a very strong team, but the margins are small. I believe very much in our team.”Ekong stated.
He emphasizes the need for improvement in the final third and anticipates a challenging task for the defenders against Ivory Coast’s attacking prowess.
Ekong describes the team’s reaction to the draw against Equatorial Guinea as initially frustrating but emphasizes that they have moved past it, focusing on training and a clear understanding of areas to improve.
The defender’s insights highlight the team’s determination and resilience as they prepare for a crucial encounter in the AFCON tournament.
