Ivorian football legend Salomon Kalou identifies the Super Eagles of Nigeria as a team to be wary of at the 2023 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) npflupdates.com reports.
Kalou was part of the Ivory Coast squad that won the country’s second AFCON title eight years ago in 2015. The former Chelsea winger talked about the strength of the Super Eagles.
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According to the 38-year-old, the Ivory Coast Group A which also habour Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau is a very good group. Kalou who faced the Super Eagles in 2013, agreed that in every AFCON, Nigerian side always show great potential.
Kalou identify Nigeria as team with great potential
“Firstly, it’s a group made up of very good teams, starting with Nigeria which is a very dangerous side. At each AFCON, the Super Eagles show great potential,” Kalou told CAFonline and was quoted by PUNCH Nigeria.
“During the last edition, Equatorial Guinea did well, and Guinea Bissau may be the surprise of the group.
“We will have to respect all the teams and above all, win the first match to start the competition well, because that is where everything starts from.”
The former Chelsea man, said Ivory Coast hosting the AFCON tournament is great after hosting the 1984 edition about forty years ago.
“We are happy to welcome all of Africa. We can’t wait to celebrate football. Ivory Coast is a land of football. We had a lot of legends like Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Gervinho and so on. Players who made the colours of the country shine for many years. Organizing this AFCON is something very important for us, the last time we hosted this competition was in 1984.
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“It has been 40 years since Ivory Coast hosted AFCON, which is an eternity for a nation passionate about football like Ivory Coast. There is a lot of passion around this event. I want to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, for the infrastructure put in place,” Kalou added.