By GBOLAHAN DADA
Former national Under-23 player, Odunayo Ayonuga, has urged Super Eagles to go all out in their quest to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, saying the team could make the best out of the week-long event.
The Total 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, is scheduled to be the 32nd edition of the event, the biennial international men’s football championship of Africa will be held from tomorrow June 21 to July 19 ,2019. Nigeria is in group B with Burundi, Guinea, and Madagascar.
According to Odunayo, a prolific attacker who plays for a Swedish side, Asarums IF FK, Nigeria needs to properly gird their loins to subdue every opposition in the championship.
“ I strongly believe Nigeria would perform well in the competition. We have all it takes to become African champions again. We have quality players that could change the game to their advantage but they need to be focused and work together as a team to achieve the great feat,” Ayonuga told thelagostimes.com.ng.
Prior to the tournament, Super Eagles had recorded a barren draw with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Asaba, Delta State before they were pipped 0-1 by Senegal in a friendly fuel in Cairo.
Ayonuga said Nigerians should not use the friendly duels as yard stick to measure Super Eagles preparations for the African event.
“No these Eagles will shock the doubters in Egypt. They will definitely live up to their billing. The team is made up of experienced and youthful players and they know that they are in Egypt for business, “he said.
Talking about the team’s chances against Burundi in her first game on Saturday, Ayonuga advised Eagles not to rest on their oars as they may face a tough battle against young enterprising players like Stoke City of England star, Saido Berahino, Belgium-born teenager, Mohamed Amissi.
He said the former England Under-21 player should be well policed by the Eagles defenders and other dangerous players in the Burundian side.
Ayonuga also urged Super Eagles to be extra-careful when they intensify in their mission against Guinea on June 26 at Alexandria stadium, saying it is another testy duel for Nigeria.
“It is sure that Guinea and Liverpool forward, Naby Keita, will spearhead the team attack. The player has become an inspiration to the team after the UEFA Champions League exploit with the English team. I hope he is fully recover from the injury he sustained before all their proposed matches in Egypt,” he said.
Madagascar coach, Nicolas Dupuis, will be relying on players like Charles Andriamahitsinoro , Faneva Andriatsima , William Gros , Tsilavina Njiva and , Paulin Voavy to the impossible against Nigeria on June 30 in their third game in the preliminaries but Ayonuga however warned the team not to underrate any opposition,
“In football, there is no small team. Every team is important and they should play with their best to get the best result,” he said.
