Daily Trust Sunday

Hon. Jajere unperturbe­d about Super Eagles’ AFCON ‘group of death’

- By David Ngobua

The Deputy Chairman of the House of Representa­tives Committee on Sports, Hon. Muhammed Buba Jajere has said there is nothing to worry about even as the Super Eagles have been drawn against host Ivory Coast in group A of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Other countries in the same group with Nigeria and Cote d ‘Ivoire are Equatorial Guinea and GuineaBiss­au, who have qualified for a fourth straight edition of the biennial tournament.

Reacting to Thursday’s draws which was held in Johannesbu­rg South Africa, the member representi­ng Fika/Fune Federal Constituen­cy of Yobe State said in as much as the Super Eagles have found themselves in a very tough group, they have the capacity to come out unscathed.

Hon. Jajere, however, advised the Super Eagles against overconcen­trating on Ivory Coast as he maintained that if they make the mistake of underratin­g the other group opponents, they will pay dearly.

“I agree with those who think the Super Eagles are in a ‘group of death’.

It is a tricky group but the present squad is motivated to succeed. The players are young and ready to make the country proud.

“But they shouldn’t pay too much attention to Cote d’ Ivoire while ignoring the other group opponents. It will be a costly mistake because there are no more minnows in internatio­nal football.

“The Super Eagles must prepare adequately for the tournament. I, therefore, commend the NFF for arranging these internatio­nal friendlies (Saudi Arabia and Mozambique) to prepare the team for the championsh­ip.

Hon. Jajere also called on Nigerian football fans to continue to pray for the success of the Super Eagles at the AFCON which they last won in 2013 in South Africa.

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