According to Gistlover former international player George Abbey has dismissed the chance that the Super Eagles will win the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations competition with the players on the roster.
After winning the AFCON in 1980 on home soil, 1994 in Tunisia, and the 2013 finals in South Africa, the Eagles hope to win their fourth title at the 34th edition, which is set to take place in Ivory Coast early next year.
The three-time AFCON champions Ivory Coast have since taken up the motto “Let’s Do It Again” in an effort to reach their stated goal and win another AFCON championship.
While ending their 15-game losing streak in friendly games, Abbey, who played for the Eagles for eighteen appearances and was part of the team that won bronze in the 2004 edition in Tunisia, said that Jose Peseiro’s team has flattered to deceive with their performance in their recent games.
Even with Vincent Enyeama in goal, the former Crewe Alexandra defender feels that the current Eagles team is not good enough to contend for the championship in Ivory Coast.
In the Eagles’ friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, Francis Uzoho, who rejoined the team after missing the previous game due to suspension, committed howlers. This performance has fans worried as the AFCON tournament draws near.
“We forget to check the current weather forecast because we are a patriotic country,” Abbey said.
“Our 2013 team outperformed itself considering the team they faced, and I believe that this current team is not as good as that group.
“I wouldn’t support this team to win the AFCON, even if we could somehow create a prime Vincent Enyeama and get him behind it. Though I doubt it, I hope they prove me wrong. “
The first round of the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in January 2024, with the three-time African champions facing off against hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.