‘ We are ready for Nigeria ‘ – Equatorial Guinea coach
Equatorial Guinea head coach, Juan Micha, has expressed his teams readiness for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening group fixture vs Nigeria.
The Nzalang Nacional will begin their AFCON campaign when they face the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Alassanne Quattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
That encounter will be the first-ever meeting between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
While the Super Eagles secured wins in their two previous encounters during the qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Micha is optimistic about his team’s chances in this tournament.
In a pre-match press conference on Saturday, January 13, 2024, Coach Micha conveyed the team’s ambition to perform well in the tournament and their eagerness to give their best on the field. Despite acknowledging Nigeria as one of the favorites, he emphasized that Equatorial Guinea has prepared extensively for the game and is ready to compete at the highest level.
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Micha also noted the potential challenges posed by Nigeria’s missing players but asserted that his team is aware of opposition strength’s and has prepared for the encounter.
The Equatorial Guinea coach’s statements reflect the confidence and determination within their camp as they gear up for their AFCON opener against the three-time champions, Nigeria.
WHAT COACH JUAN MICHA SAID
“We have an ambition in this tournament, we want to win the tournament. We are aware of what to do, we want to give our best,” Micha told a press conference.
“We have a complicated game tomorrow, Nigeria are among the favourites but we have prepared ourselves to be at the highest level.
“They have players missing and they have replacements, we aware of Nigeria’s potential and we have our potentials too. We have prepared for the game.”
GOALKEEPER OWONO ACKNOWLEDGES NIGERIA WILL BE A TOUGH TASK
At the same press conference, Equatorial Guinea shot-stopper Jesus Owono acknowledged Nigeria will be a tough task despite injury reports from the Super Eagles camp.
“It’s true that some of the Nigerian players are injured, but the players who have come in are also good,” Owono said.
“We also have our own injury problems too, so it’s not just Nigeria.
“Nigeria have good players in their team and playing against them is going to be a tough task for us.”
