The three-time African champions went into the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with many people writing them off, but they have managed to shut up their critics
Nigeria's interim coach Austin Eguavoen has admitted that the Super Eagles are now the favourites to win AFCON 2021 following their brilliant start to the tournament.
The Super Eagles had been written off going into the tournament after they fired their ex-coach, Gernot Rohr, just a month before the start of the competition.
The team also had a far from ideal preparation, with several players like Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Leon Balogun and Abdullahi Shehu pulling out of the squad.
As a result of these setbacks, fans and critics expected little from the team in Cameroon. However, the Super Eagles have managed to change people's opinions following an impressive start.
Eguavoen's men started their campaign with a brilliant 1-0 win over Egypt before beating Sudan 3-1 to seal a spot in the Round of 16.
The team's dominant performance in these two games has shut critics up, with many now saying they are the favourite for the title.
And it is a tag Eguavoen is willing to accept, saying the Super Eagles objective is to win a fourth AFCON title on February 6.
“Yes, many people have talked about Nigeria being favourite, so I claim it, Eguavoen said after the win over Sudan, as oper Modo.
“It's not about saying game per game now, so we claim it because there is power in the tongue,” he added.
Nigeria will continue their quest for the trophy with their final group game against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday.
