{"id":144510,"date":"2023-10-13T14:36:05","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T11:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/?p=144510"},"modified":"2023-10-13T14:37:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T11:37:28","slug":"drogba-nigeria-is-one-of-favourites-at-afcon-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goalballlive.com\/drogba-nigeria-is-one-of-favourites-at-afcon-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON 2023: Drogba ready for ‘exciting’ Super Eagles challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the AFCON 2023 draw, the host country Ivory Coast was automatically in Group A, picked by the Ivorian legend Didier Drogba.<\/p>\n

When it came to Pot 3 and a pick for the final slot in Group A that already had the hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau, Drogba must have been wishing – not Nigeria, Ghana or Cameroon.<\/p>\n

Perhaps for Drogba, Mali, DR Congo, or Burkina Faso would be better.<\/p>\n

When Sadio Mane dipped his hand inside the pot, swivelled the balls and pulled out a ball, the awws and aahs were audible as he announced Nigeria.<\/p>\n

No one expected it, not even Drogba. Of course, his fears were understandable. The Elephants of Ivory Coast have only won twice against Nigeria in six meetings at the Africa Cup of Nations.<\/p>\n

Every football follower knows that no matter how poor the Super Eagles<\/a> get, they're still a strong opposition and one to avoid if possible.<\/p>\n

It is not to say Ivory Coast, as hosts, cannot beat the Super Eagles, but any team in the world will tell you it is not a walk in the park.<\/p>\n

Didier Drogba ranks Nigeria high<\/h2>\n
\"Sadio
Photo by Icon Sport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drogba and John Obi Mikel were on the podium for the draw. While there was palpable tension in the hall following the impending clash between Ivory Coast and Nigeria, Mikel was confident of success.<\/p>\n

When asked about his impression of the group, Drogba spoke cautiously.<\/p>\n

The former Chelsea legend rated the Super Eagles<\/a> highly and described the upcoming encounter as an exciting challenge.<\/p>\n

He opined that it would be a thrilling early test for the Elephants.<\/p>\n

Despite rating the Super Eagles highly and describing them as one of the favourites to win the tournament, he said Ivory Coast is up for it.<\/p>\n

He claimed it is the beauty of a competition like AFCON, so the Elephants are ready to take on the challenge and let the best teams of the group and all the groups qualify.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a very difficult group. Nigeria is of course one of the favourites and to have them in our group, it is going to be an exciting challenge,\u201d CAFonline quoted Drogba.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we are up for it. This is the beauty of a competition like AFCON, so we are ready to take on the challenge and let the best teams of this group and all the groups qualify.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

The legendary @didierdrogba<\/a> \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddee<\/p>\n

Give it up to our #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023<\/a> Draw Ambassador \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/kWm9LjakGI<\/a><\/p>\n

— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 12, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n