Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has said Nigeria are among the favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles will be looking to win a fourth title when the tournament begins in Cote d’Ivoire in January.
Mikel, who was part of the side that conquered Africa in South Africa 10 years ago, claimed the Super Eagles will always go into the AFCON as favourites.
“We are always favourites, this is every time we go into the tournament and it’s no different this time,” the former Chelsea midfielder told CAFonline.
“Everyone knows that we are one of the favourites – not the massive favourite but definitely one of the favourites.”
A fourth AFCON title for the Super Eagles would be a massive achievement for the African powerhouse who have contributed significantly to the rich history books of the tournament over the years – lifting it in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
They were also runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000.
“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”, urged Mikel.
The Super Eagles will kick-off their campaign on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea before facing the hosts four days later in what will be a repeat of the 2013 edition quarter-final that saw them overcome Cote d’Ivoire 2-1.
They conclude the Group A campaign with a tie against Guinea-Bissau on January 22.