Segun Odegbami, a member of the 1980 Green Eagles that secured Nigeria’s first AFCON title, asserted that the Super Eagles are superior to their opponents, claiming the Ivorians reached the final through sheer luck.
During an interview on Channels TV’s Morning Brief on February 9, Odegbami emphasized Nigeria’s psychological advantage, having previously defeated Ivory Coast in the group stage. He pointed out the host team’s lackluster performance, describing their journey to the final as a miracle and suggesting they haven’t earned or deserved it on the pitch.
Odegbami anticipates a noise-filled, supportive crowd during the final, creating an atmosphere where the Super Eagles should be prepared, focused, and undistracted for the full 90 minutes. He highlighted the need for Nigeria to display their superiority on the pitch, asserting that the Ivorians acknowledge Nigeria’s higher standing in the football hierarchy.
Odegbami emphasized the importance of belief among the Super Eagles players, expressing confidence that they will outplay Ivory Coast. He boldly predicted that the upcoming final would be the team’s easiest match, likening it to a training session, and asserted that Nigeria would secure a definitive victory.
In addition, Odegbami demanded that the government provide Nigeria with enough fans for the match.
He said: “We’re going to be up against 60,000 Ivorian fans, and they will overwhelm any kind of support we provide. I urge the government to provide support for our supporters; we need their voices. When we score, you see the players rush to the stands because they know how important they are.”
