By Akinwale Kasali
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has been grouped alongside 2024 African Cup of Nations host and West African rival, the Elephants of Côte d’ Ivoire, the African Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau and the National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea in fierce battle of supremacy in Group A.
The draw was made in Abidjan by the leadership of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, led by its President, Patrice Motsepe.
This would be the third time both teams would be meeting at the continental showpiece in 17 Years.
At the 2006 AFCON tournament in Egypt, a Didier Drogba lone strike dashed the Super Eagles hope of playing in the final against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
Two years later in Ghana at the 2008 AFCON championship, Nigeria was grouped alongside Côte d’ Ivoire, losing by 3-1 in the opening match of the Group.
Nigeria paid the Ivorians in their one coin at 2013 AFCON tournament, defeating the Elephants 2-1 in the Quarterfinals.
When the draw was made, it was however surprising that the two African giants will lock horns again after so many years.
Guinea Bissau was in the same Group alongside the Super Eagles in the 2024 AFCON qualifiers, with both teams recording a win. Guinea Bissau defeated Nigeria atbtue Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, while the Super Eagles also recorded a 1-0 victory in Bissau.
Both teams are no strangers to each other as they have on several occasions faces each other in the past.
At 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameroon, the Super Eagles defeated Guinea Bissau 3-1 in the Group stage, courtesy of goals from Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi and Samuel Chukwueze.
For Equatorial Guinea, they have locked horns with the Super Eagles at the 2010 AFCON tournament in Angola, where the Three Time AFCON Champions defeated the Guineans 3-0, with Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins and Yusuf Ayila registering their name as scorers in the encounter.
No doubt, the Group will be a tough one as the four teams will be jostling to scale through to the Round of 16 of the tournament.
In Group B, the Pharaohs of Egypt will face the Black Stars of Ghana, the Mambas of Mozambique and the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde.
The Pharaohs of Egypt will be gunning to win the AFCON tournament, having lost the 2022 edition to the Teranga Lions of Senegal on penalties. For Ghana who had a disappointing outing at the last AFCON edition will be trying to redeem its image and put smiles on the face of its teeming fans.
Likewise Cape Verde, who failed to perform brilliantly at the continental showpiece at the last edition will be aiming to rub shoulders with the top African teams, while Mozambique will also be showcasing the stuff it has in its sleeves.
This could be adjudged the toughest Group in the tournament, with the Teranga Lions of Senegal playing in the same Group as the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, the Syli Nationale of Guinea and the Scorpions of Gambia.
The Scorpions of Gambia gave a good account of themselves at the last edition of the continental showpiece, getting to the Quarterfinals, they would face a tough opposition and defending champion, Senegal, who remains the second highly rated African team in the world.
Cameroon under the tutelage of Coach Rigobert Song would be aiming to win the tournament having won a bronze at the last edition on home soil.
In Group D, the Desert Foxes of Algeria will face the Stallions of Burkina Faso, the Lions of Chinguetti of Mauritania and the Palancras Negras of Angola.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia would trade tackles with Bafana Bafana of South Africa, the Eagles of Mali and the Brave Warriors of Namibia will slug it out in Group E.
The Atlas Lion of Morocco who took the world by storm at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup where it got to the Semi Finals would face the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Taifa Stars of Tanzania and the Chipolopolo of Zambia in a cracker and battle of survival in Group F.
The AFCON tournament would begin in Abidjan on January 13th, 2024 with the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Côte d’ Ivoire expected to set the ball rolling.
