Enugu Football enthusiasts have expressed optimism that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will defeat the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the Quarter-Final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The match, which comes up on Saturday in Marrakesh, is expected to see the Super Eagles try to revenge defeat by the Algerians, in the 2019 AFCON, semi-final.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, the fans projected that with the Super Eagles performances so far, the team has all it takes to defeat the Algerians.
Director of Information in the State’s Ministry of Sports, Dan Onwuegbuna, said that the Super Eagles were currently in high spirit.
“The team is highly motivated in the field of play, having won four over four; it is an incredible performance.
“In this kind of mood, I don’t see them losing to Algeria; it is a time to revenge our ouster by Algeria in the semi-final of the 2019 edition, ‘ he said.
Onwegbuna urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to do all that is required to ensure that the team remains highly motivated for the match.
“We don’t want to hear anything about non-payment of bonuses and allowances again, everything owed them should be settled immediately, ” he said.
In the same vein, Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Enugu State, Gideon Iwueke said that he was confident that the Super eagles would win Algeria come Saturday.
“Technically, the team is in good shape and rearing to go, but the controversy over match bonuses to the players is disturbing.
“The relevant authorities should do the needful to ensure that the boys remain in high spirit, I am confident, the Eagles will come out victorious, ” he said.
Iwueke said that this was the only opportunity the team had to restore the confidence of Nigerians, after failing to qualify for the 2026 World cup.
Also speaking, Bright Ogbodo, a former footballer said he had dreamt that Nigeria reached the AFCON final in Morocco.
“I had a dream that the Super Eagles will win the AFCON; therefore, I am optimistic that they will defeat Algeria and go all the way to the finals, ‘he said.
Another football fan, Ngozi Amanze, also expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ victory on Saturday.
She told NAN that, she had to play a bet because she was sure that the Eagles would emerge victorious.
“I didn’t use to play betnaija before but since after the Eagles defeated Mozambique, I said I was going play bet because the Eagles will win and I will win some cash, ” she said. (NAN)