Nigeria player Bright Osayi-Samuel has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles following a disappointing draw in their opening AFCON 2023 encounter against Equatorial Guinea.
The three-time AFCON champions were the bookmakers' favourite to secure maximum points, but they failed to meet expectations and could only secure a single point.
AFCON 2023: Osayi-Samuel remains optimistic
The 26-year-old remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can turn things around.
“Honestly of course we wanted to win, it’s a bit disappointing because a big nation like us every game we are expected to win. If you look at Egypt, how they lost their first game and got to the final last AFCON. So, for me I think of course we want to win but we shouldn’t put our heads down too much,” he said.
Osayi-Samuel anticipates a positive reaction against Ivory Coast
Osayi-Samuel, who replaced Ola Aina in the 83rd minute, believes that the team will react positively in their next fixture against Ivory Coast on January 18.
“We have a game in the next four days and I believe in everyone in this team and I think next game will be a reaction. I believe that with the squad that we have the game against Ivory Coast, we will do our best, when we play against those big teams that’s when we do better, we know what it takes and everyone is confident,” he said.
Super Eagles winless in their last five games
The Super Eagles have not won in their last five games.
They’ve suffered three defeats (Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, Costa Rica and Guinea) and drew with Equatorial Guinea in their AFCON 2023 opener.
Up next is Ivory Coast and they'll be hoping for a change in fortune against the competition hosts.
