Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has asserted that the Super Eagles of Nigeria consistently enter the AFCON tournament as favorites, emphasizing the country’s need to reclaim the pinnacle of African football by securing victory in Cote d’Ivoire.

The 36-year-old, a vital part of the 2013 AFCON-winning team, expressed his views during an interview with CAFOnline. Mikel emphasized that, regardless of the team’s current form, winning the title is a crucial step for Nigerian football.

“We are always favorites; every time we go into the tournament, and it’s no different this time. Everyone knows that we are one of the favorites—not the massive favorite, but definitely one of the favorites,” Mikel remarked.

He highlighted the significance of bringing the AFCON trophy back to Nigeria, seeing it as a monumental achievement for the country’s football. 

Mikel stated, “To be able to do it again will be a massive achievement for us, which I think the country needs right now as well. We need to get our football back where it should be, and by winning this tournament, it will take it back to where it should be.”

When asked about any similarities between the current squad and the one he played with a decade ago, Mikel acknowledged the dramatic changes in football over the years. 

“Football has changed dramatically, and I think this group of players are a good young team and play a different brand of football than we did, so let’s hope we can see a good performance from the Nigerian team,” he said.

Nigeria, a three-time AFCON winner in 1980, 1994, and 2013, with several runner-up finishes, has been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. 

The Super Eagles kick off their AFCON 2023 campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14, 2024.