•Says Nigerian National team dangerous with Osimhen
Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba has urged the Cote d’Ivoire national team to bring their A-game to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when facing Nigeria and other teams or face elimination, Soccernet.ng reports.
Cote d’Iviore will play hosts to the rest of the continent next month and will be expected to make it past a relatively easy Group A.
The Elephants have been grouped with three-time winners Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria will be Cote d’Ivoire’s biggest foes in the group, with the Super Eagles boasting the best attack in Africa that is led by newly crowned Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen.
Aside from Osimhen, Nigeria has named in its provisional tournament roster strikers excelling in Germany, Italy, France, England, and Spain, making the Super Eagles a tough hurdle any day.
And Drogba has warned his compatriots to treat every group match, especially the tie against Nigeria, with all seriousness to avoid a shameful early exit.
“All these teams deserve to participate in the competition, and they will try to play well,” the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner told the BBC.
“Nigeria with Victor Osimhen and other players who are outstanding in the world, will play a great role and will try to win this Cup.”
Cote d’Iviore will host the 2023 AFCON finals from January 13 to February 11.