Former Nigeria International , Austine Jay Jay Okocha, has hinted that playing hosts Cote d’Ivoire in front of their partisan crowd would be a difficult task as the Super Eagles face off against the Elephants today at 6pm Nigerian time.
The eagerly awaited Group A showdown at the Olympic Stadium Alassane Ouattara would be decisive as Cote d’Ivoire will be buoyed following their opening 2-0 win against Guinea Bissau while Nigeria’s back is already against the wall after their insipid 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea hence there would be no pity from both sides.
“Absolutely!” Okocha, 1994 AFCON winner , told CAF Media that Nigeria must expect a difficult mat today against Cote d’Ivoire.” Every match is difficult but when you play the host country, it is even more difficult.
“But, of course the beauty of football is that if you want to be champions, you have to win against the best. And as we know, in football, every match is difficult. If you are well prepared, you have a chance of winning your match.
“But, we Nigerians, we know that it will be a difficult match but also, we believe that we have enough potential to be able to win this match.”
The former PSG midfielder who captained Nigeria’s Silver medal winning squad of 2000 as well as three consecutive AFCON bronze medal finish of 2002, 2004 and 2006 editions, noted that the coach Jose Peseiro-led team can pull their chestnuts from the Ivorian fire if they are psychologically ready for the titanic West Africa derby to be aired on StarTimes Sports Premium Channel 252 and 246 as well as StarTimes-On app.
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