In a bold forecast, former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, envisions a riveting final between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Mikel, a 2012 Champions League winner with Nigeria, anticipates a showdown between the two football powerhouses after their intense encounter in the group stage, where Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Abdijan.
As the tournament progresses, Nigeria has overcome challenges, defeating Cameroon and Angola in the knockout stages to set up a semifinal clash with South Africa. On the other hand, Cote d’Ivoire, making an impressive comeback, stunned defending champions Senegal and eliminated Mali to secure their spot in the semifinals against DR Congo.
Mikel, speaking on The Obi One podcast, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles reaching the final, foreseeing victory with striker Victor Osimhen as the driving force. Despite acknowledging Cote d’Ivoire’s resurgence, Mikel remains steadfast in his belief that Nigeria will secure their fourth AFCON title.
The football community eagerly awaits to see if Mikel’s foresight materializes, setting the stage for a thrilling climax to the AFCON 2023 tournament.
