Both coach Augustine Eguavoen and captain William Ekong said they are happy the Super Eagles are now being taken a lot more seriously at the AFCON in Cameroon after they were not given much of a chance to shine.
The Eagles recorded their third straight win Wednesday against Guinea Bissau to advance to the knockout rounds with a perfect 100% record.
“No one gave us a chance from the first game,” Eguavoen said after the comfortable 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau.
“I will continue to give credit to my players, but people have started respecting Nigeria, but it won’t get into our heads.”
The 56-year-old coach also matched his personal record of three straight wins in the group stage of the AFCON having first done so at the 2006 AFCON.
“Before the tournament, we were the underdogs,” added Ekong, who was named Man of the Match against Guinea Bissau after he scored his first-ever goal for the Eagles.
“We are happy for the progress and performance.”
The Eagles will now await their opponents for the Round of 16 clash Sunday also in Garoua.
Good reporting but that was not William Troost-Ekong’s maiden goal for Nigeria. He has now scored three goals for Nigeria: two at the AFCON (2019 & 2021) and one in an international friendly.
Thanks for the correction Ifeanyi