The Super Eagles now know their preliminary opponent in the AFCON showpiece slated to take place next year as the draws were conducted recently in host Nation Cameroon.
The Nigerian side has been drawn alongside fellow African heavyweights, Egypt, and two surprise packages in Sudan and Guinea- Bissau.
This would be where Nigeria's quest for the AFCON glory will begin from as far as the draw is concerned.
It looks like the group will see Nigeria and Egypt dominate the proceedings in group D. But the Gernot Rohr’s side must be wary of the unknown quantities in sides like Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.
The latter held Cameroon to a barren draw in the first 24 team tournament in Egypt 2019 while they made it hard for Ghana in the group stages as well.
However, despite this feat attained by some of these sides, Nigeria is expected to qualify at no just course, with their major (further) test coming up during the knockout stages.
With top sides like Cameroon, Morocco and Sudan all competing in the AFCON showpiece along with Angola and Algeria, Nigeria is in for a tough challenge.
But as Nigerian Coach Gernot Rohr has been saddled with the quest to reach the AFCON final as part of the terms in his contract, winning the biennial African Championship should be his ultimate target (goal) in Cameroon.
With the players he has at his disposal he should mount firm challenges in that regard.
It’s very imperative for him to achieve the feat especially with Nigeria’s growing contingent in the Premier League.
Nigeria’s Frank Onyeka (new signing at Brentford City) and Oghenekaro Etebo (on loan at Watford) has joined Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi in the Primer League.
Such moves are expected to boost Nigeria's midfield form and composition. The fans would hope for nothing other than the trophy (AFCON glory) as second place is not accepted in Nigeria.
Despite the threat some of the top-ranked teams in African possess, Nigeria has the pedigree to stake a claim for the AFCON crown.
It is even becoming more of a positive as talents like Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu and Chidera Ejuke are coming up with decent performance week in week out in their respective clubs (Leagues) in Europe.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
