The 34^th Africa Cup of Nations, otherwise called Cote ‘d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON, kicks off tomorrow evening at the Olympic Stadium Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan as hosts Cote d’Ivoire square up against Guinea Bissau in the competition’s opener. But Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will be Nigeria’s 20^th appearance at the AFCON since their debut in the competition in 1963 in Ghana. They have been champions on three occasions (1980, 1994 and 2013); silver medalists four times (1984, 1988, 1990, and 2000) and bronze medalists on eight occasions (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019).

Ahead of the eagerly awaited continental showpiece, MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN and TUNDE LIADI engaged some former Nigeria internationals as they reflected on the joy of being champions as well as being part of the ‘golden bronze’ of yesteryears.

Former Green Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has stated that Nigeria was able to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1980 as host because the then President Shehu Shagari-led federal government supported the team wholeheartedly and ensured they had the best of build up to the competition.

He said the government told them they had invested in the facilities at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan and National Stadium, Lagos, to ensure they played host to win it. And that because of that, the national team then, known as the Green Eagles, lacked little or nothing before and during the competition.

“In 1980, we hosted the competition and won it,” Nwosu told NationSport. “We had good preparations towards the competition. We gave it all that we had to ensure we won, especially because we were the host.

“We went on playing tour outside the country to prepare. We were in Brazil, England and an African country to prepare. The federal government made sure we lacked nothing.”

Nwosu, who was also part of the silver medal-winning team of 1984 and 1988 hosted in Cote D’Ivoire and Morocco respectively, said he and his teammates were on top of the world based on how they were valued and honoured after winning the competition in 1980 on home soil and also returning as second best team in 1984 and 1988.

“It was grand celebration for us after we won the AFCON in 1980. It was a memorable moment for me and the team. I was the youngest player in the 1980 team. The government was happy to receive us also after we came second in 1984 and 1988. In fact, it was on our return from the 1988 competition that the name Green Eagles got changed to the Super Eagles.”

Another player that had the honour of winning the AFCON was 1994 Africa’s Player of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, who won the competition with his exquisite brace of goals in the final against Zambia.

Amuneke who was the head coach when the Golden Eaglets won the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile in 2015 expressed his delight at winning the AFCON. He added also that being responsible for the two goals that sealed the second title for Nigeria was very awesome.

“The feeling was great after winning the AFCON in 1994 in Tunisia and one of the greatest feelings was that we were able to win the AFCON to make Nigerians happy. And when you are in a position to bring joy to your people, that is one of the greatest things a man can do to his people,” Amuneke recalled with glee. “I’m happy and I’m glad to have been part of the team that won the AFCON in 1994 in Tunisia. So it was a great feeling and we thank God for that possibility.

“I am very grateful and privileged to have had the opportunity to play in the final. I never played any game throughout the competition until the final.

“I was able to score the two goals that gave us the cup. I am grateful to the coach, backroom staff and to my teammates that believed in me. The important thing is that I was able to contribute and add value to the success of the national team. I am happy for that and to see Nigerians happy for the success of the team in 1994.”

Lawal, Kaita reflect on AFCON medals

Apart from the joy of winning the AFCON trophy itself, some former Super Eagles players remain nostalgic about their days on the continental sphere despite the fact that they did not win the main prize.

Former Roda JC of Holland midfielder, Garba Lawal, is among those in that category despite playing at four editions of the AFCON between 2000 and 2006. He told our correspondent that having the privilege to adorn the colours of Nigeria at the AFCON would have sufficed for him, even if he had not won any medal.

Having won a silver and three bronze Medals, Lawal was filled with gratitude as he reflected on the previous AFCON tournaments he participated in.

“Yes, it’s massive. This is the foremost tournament we have in Africa. So when you are called upon, you have to come and give your best. I’m lucky,” Lawal noted.

“I’m one of the players that played in four AFCON competitions. But I believe as a player, I know how it takes to play in the Nations Cup. It’s a very important tournament. And every country wants to win the same tournament.

“So, at least, I won silverwares for Nigeria. So it’s not even going to be easy to become first, second or third in Nations Cup, but which I did.

“I have no regret for that; for those achievements at the Nations Cup with Nigeria,” Lawal stated.

Also sharing his AFCON memories is Sani Kaita who had the privilege to win medals for Nigeria at the Under 20 World Cup, Olympic Games and at the AFCON.

Kaita who had stints with Alania Vladikavkaz (Russia), Kano Pillars and other clubs in Europe described the two bronze medals he won at the AFCON as golden and precious to him even though he would have loved to win the gold medal.

He said he was delighted to play for Nigeria and that all the laurels he won were more or less bonus as he would have been contented with just playing for his fatherland.

“I won bronze medals in 2006 and 2010 AFCONs and I am massively proud of those achievements. We were actually looking forward to winning the gold medal but we were unfortunate not to have it,” Kaita told our correspondent.

“Playing for Nigeria when I did, gave me every sense of joy and fulfilment. The medals I won at the U20 World Cup medal (silver), Olympic Games medal (silver), playing at the FIFA World Cup and winning two AFCON bronze medals made me to be extremely proud. I still have them and they make me happy.

“I had the opportunity to participate in two AFCONs in 2006 and 2010. It is a huge experience for every African player. It is their dream to play in the competition because it is an important tournament.”

Legends counsel Peseiro’s Super Eagles on Cote d’Ivoire 2023

With varied experiences spanning different eras, the quartet of Nwosu, Amuneke, Lawal and Kaita believe the current Super Eagles under coach Jose Peseiro would do more than wishful thinking to win a long-awaited fourth AFCON title for Nigeria.

The Super Eagles are drawn in a tricky Group A that houses Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau, with their opening match tomorrow to be aired at 3pm Nigerian time on StarTimes’ sports Premium, channel 252 and 246 as well as StarTimes-ON app.

“This is a very good competition for Africans,” Nwosu enthused. “It is a very good competition for our footballers and this is the same competition that gave me fame, acknowledgement and exposure.

“I see us qualifying from Group A with Cote d’Ivoire if our players give the matches the required seriousness. You don’t assume you have qualified when you haven’t kicked a ball. You have to show determination, commitment and the zeal to excel for you to succeed.

“You may call the remaining two teams as underdogs but no team is an underdog again because every team wants to win. Even the supposed smaller nations want to beat Nigeria and other established nations.

“All the teams at the AFCON stand a better chance of winning the competition. We can’t underrate any team. They are all coming with the aim to win the cup, not just to participate.”

Speaking in the same vein, former midfield Trojan, Lawal, said all the teams at the AFCON will be eager to win, hence the Super Eagles must give more than 100 percent in all their games.

“From experience, all the African teams want to win the AFCON. So that’s why it’s very difficult. You have to win every game. You could see the four editions of the competition I played, I ended with a silver and three bronze medals.

“They (the current Super Eagles) have to know the intensity of that shirt. To play for the Super Eagles is not a small thing. When you are called upon, you have to be focused and give 200 percent. Your performance must get better after each game.”

Amuneke, on his part, counselled the Super Eagles to expect a difficult campaign.

“I would say that it’s always a very difficult journey. African football has grown a lot. A lot of teams have improved a lot. A lot of teams possess players that are playing at top level. So it’s a very, very difficult thing for you to just wake up and say you are going to win the AFCON,” Amuneke said. “There’s a whole lot of work needed to be done. For you to win an AFCON, you must, first of all, have a formidable team. You must have a very good cohesion in your team.

“You must have the ability to defend when your team is not in possession of the ball and when your team is also in possession of the ball. The individual characters also play a very key role.”

The former Super Eagles coach tipped traditional teams like Nigeria, Egypt, and Cameroon as teams to beat in Cote D’Ivoire, but that Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria also have the wherewithal to challenge for the title.

“Teams like Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon are traditional teams that people look onto. But, of course, you have new teams like Senegal, Morocco and other nations that are springing up.”

Kaita also has words of caution for the Super Eagles ahead of their first game with Equatorial Guinea, saying the coach Peseiro-led side should not expect Group A to be as easy as A-B-C.

“Yes, everyone sees that group as an easy group but it is not. We are playing against the host, Cote’d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea. So, we have to approach every game as it comes, one after the other.

“And if you want to be at the second round, you have to win every game, which is not going to be easy.

“It is never easy because some countries that not much is heard of may come and surprise you. If you are sloppy, they can punish you at any time in the game. African game is technical and physical as well. It comes with a lot of challenges regardless of who you play. It is never easy.

“I think we are capable of coming out from that group and going all the way because of the experienced and talented players we have in the team. We have so much quality in the team. I just hope that the manager will get his tactics and the team right. This will determine how far we will go in the tournament.

“Some other African countries have good coaches that can follow the game more tactically and they can expose your weaknesses and punish you for that.

“We are capable of going all out and lifting the trophy, but, just as I said earlier, the coach must get his tactics right. I know the players are determined to play at the AFCON because they know the privilege that comes with it. Some of them have been there before and I know they would like to do better than they previously did,” Kaita concluded. (The Nation)

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