Former professional footballer George Abbey, who hails from Port Harcourt, has expressed skepticism about the Super Eagles’ chances of winning the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Abbey believes that the current group of players in the squad is not prepared to secure another AFCON title for Nigeria.
Super Eagles Aiming for Fourth AFCON Title
The Super Eagles are vying for their fourth AFCON title at the 34th edition of the tournament, set to be held in Ivory Coast early next year.
They previously claimed victory in 1980 on home soil, the 1994 edition in Tunisia, and the 2013 finals in South Africa.
Despite their rallying slogan ‘Let’s Do It Again,’ George Abbey is not optimistic about their prospects.
Concerns About Super Eagles’ Recent Performances
Abbey pointed out that Jose Peseiro’s team has not lived up to expectations in their recent matches, even though they ended a 15-game winless streak in friendly games.
He believes that the current squad is not strong enough to compete for the AFCON title in Ivory Coast, even with a player like Vincent Enyeama in goal.
Goalkeeping Concerns
The Super Eagles have faced goalkeeping concerns, with Francis Uzoho committing errors in their friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.
These displays have raised concerns among fans as the AFCON tournament approaches.
Abbey’s View on the Current Squad
George Abbey emphasized the importance of assessing the present situation.
In his opinion, the current Super Eagles team is not as strong as the 2013 squad, which he believes overachieved given the competition they faced.
Even with a prime Vincent Enyeama in goal, Abbey remains doubtful about their chances of winning the AFCON. He hopes to be proven wrong but expresses skepticism.
The Super Eagles are drawn against hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in the first round of the delayed 2023 AFCON, which is scheduled for January 2024.
George Abbey’s perspective highlights the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the team’s performance in the upcoming tournament.