President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has reiterated that Nigeria will be ready for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.
The three-time African champions have been paired in Group A alongside hosts, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
The first match for the Eagles will be against Equatorial Guinea January 14 before facing Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan in one the most highly anticipated group stage games.
Speaking while receiving in audience at the NFF Secretariat, the Ambassador of Ivory Coast to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, Gusau praised the Government of Ivory Coast for its preparation to stage the tournament, 40 years after the country played host to the 14th edition of the competition in 1984.
“I have been receiving regular briefings on the preparations from the President of Ivory Coast Football Federation, Yacine Idriss Diallo, who is a personal friend. I am aware that the Government of Ivory Coast has really invested in stadia and general infrastructure to make the AFCON a success and a huge spectacle.
“Our two teams (Super Eagles and Elephants) are in the same group at the finals, and it would be a very interesting game when we play on January 18. We know the whole of Africa and even the world will be focused on Ivory Coast before, during and after the AFCON, and our team will be ready to do its best. When Ivory Coast hosted the AFCON in 1984, our Eagles finished second. This time, we will work very hard to emerge as champions.”