Ahead of Super Eagles second Group A match against host nation Ivory Coast at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), OGC Nice striker Terem Moffi has admitted the three-time African champions are under pressure to deliver.
The Super Eagles started their 2023 AFCON campaign poorly after playing a 1-1 draw against tournament underdogs Equatorial Guinea in their first match in Group A on Sunday.
Ivory Coast recorded a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Saturday night to top Group A with three points.
A victory for the Elephants against Super Eagles would qualify them for the tournament’s second round.
A defeat for Nigeria will dent their chances of progressing to the next round and perhaps a possible elimination from the tournament.
Moffi, who got a late invitation to replace injured Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface, said the players know the pressure and the need to win their first match.
Speaking to Latifat Adebayo-Ohio @Phatill on her X handle, Moffi acknowledged the team is under pressure and knows the significance of the match against Ivory Coast.
“The pressure is real, and it is a big competition. We know what is at stake, what Nigerians want, and what we want as well,” Moffi said.
“The pressure is real. We have to stay focused”.
The Super Eagles will take on Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in a make-or-mar encounter on Thursday.
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