Afcon 2021: Super Eagles land in Garoua
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have arrived Garoua in Cameroon ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The three-time African champions landed on Wednesday night after being hosted to a dinner by Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Development at the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday.
The contingent was flown into Garoua aboard an Air Peace jet and the team of 25 players and officials are staying at the Hotel Ribadou. Two players, Italy-based Tyrone Ebuehi and fellow wing back Jamilu Collins, who plays in Germany, are both expected to team up with the delegation in Garoua.
Forward Odion Ighalo is no longer expected as a result of issues with his Saudi Arabian club.
Nigeria’s 15 podium appearances in 18 participations in the Africa Cup of Nations is the highest tally in the Nation’s Cup. The only times they ended without any form of medal were in their debut in 1963, in Libya 40 years ago and in Ghana 14 years ago.
They have won the trophy three times (1980, 1994 and 2013), finished as runners-up four times (1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000) and picked up the bronze medals eight times (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019).
Nigeria will begin their campaign for a fourth Afcon title with a Group D encounter against Egypt next Tuesday at the Roumde Adjia Stadium before games against Sudan and Guinea-Bissau on January 15 and 19, respectively.
However, before the competition, the Super Eagles will take on Cameroonian top-flight champions Coton Sport in a friendly match at the practice pitch of Roumde Adjia Stadium on Friday, which would be behind closed doors.
