Nigeria won’t win AFCON 2023 — Ex-Eagles defender, George Abbey says

Ex-international, George Abbey, has ruled out the Super Eagles’ chances of winning the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament with the current crop of players in the squad.

The Eagles are aiming to win their fourth title AFCON title at the 34th edition of the tournament.

But former Nigerian international, George Abbey, who made 18 appearances for the Eagles and was a member of the Eagles squad that won bronze at the 2004 edition in Tunisia, is not convinced Jose Peseiro’s team is ready for the big stage despite ending their 15-game winless run in friendly games.

“We are patriotic as a country, we forget to check the present weather forecast,” Abbey stated.

“This current team is not as strong as our 2013 squad and in my opinion that team overachieved based on the team they were up against.

“Even if we magically produce a prime Vincent Enyeama and put him behind this team, I still wouldn’t back us to win the AFCON. I hope they prove me wrong but I doubt they will.”

The three-time African champions are drawn against hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in the first round of the delayed 2023 AFCON in January 2024.