Nigeria can win AFCON – Amaju Pinnick

A former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, said on Monday that the Super Eagles can win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) if they keep up with the energy they displayed against Cameroon.

Despite AFCON 2023 being the championship of the ‘underdogs, where big names are getting kicked out, Pinnick applauded the mentality of the players for taking it “one game at a time.”

He is optimistic that the Super Eagles can grind out the needed victory in the quarterfinal game against Angola on Friday, scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

The Vice President of the AFCON organizing committee, in an interview on Monday on Arise TV, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his timely approval of funds requested by the team.

With the Super Eagles gathering momentum at the right time, Pinnick said, “We are happy with their performance. The players have decided to be nationalistic and patriotic; they have decided to be resilient and dogged.

“If they continue the way they played the last game against Cameroon, I believe we might just be smiling with the trophy if they continue with that purposeful kind of play.

“I am happy they are taking it one game at a time, not underrating any team in the tournament; we must continue to pray for them.

“I also want to thank the President; at the appropriate time, he was able to give all the approvals they requested, and I believe we are on the right track.”

He added: “We have decided to take this tournament to the highest level; the pitches on show at the championship are so lovely and well maintained before and after games.

“In previous AFCONs, we grappled with the issue of a shortage of accommodation, but in Cote d’Ivoire, there has been amazing accommodation everywhere; the state with accommodation was in San Pedro, where the Moroccan team is camped.

“We are excited with the quality of play, the display of good football, and the quality of organization.”