By Godwill Odilu
Nigerian defender Chidozie Awaziem is confident of the Super Eagles readiness for their crucial showdown against host Ivory Coast in their second group encounter at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan on Thursday.
After securing a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening match, with Victor Osimhen’s goal saving the day, Awaziem is optimistic about the team’s determination to secure a victory.
Speaking about the team’s intense preparation, Awaziem acknowledged the daunting task ahead against the host nation. He confidently stated, “All the players and the team already know the task, so we’re all ready for the game, and we will try to get a win.”
Acknowledging the pressure of playing in front of Ivory Coast’s home crowd, Awaziem remains hopeful about Nigeria’s chances. He said, “We know it’s not going to be an easy game because they have good players, but I think we have a better team. We’re going in there to fight because we know we just have to get all the points. We want to beat them and be comfortable in the group.”
When discussing their strategy for success, Awaziem shared, “We know their weaknesses, we know their strong points, and we are just going to try to be smart and use their weaknesses, converting them into our opportunities.”
The Super Eagles are poised for a challenging match, having earned just one point from their opening game. Avoiding a loss against table-topping Ivory Coast is crucial for their progression to the knockout stage of the tournament.
