Nigeria will be one of the favourites to beat the rest of Africa to the continental title early next year
Montpellier forward Jerome Akor Adams has revealed his desire to be a part of the Super Eagles squad to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
The AFCON, which kicks off in January in the Ivory Coast and runs through to February, has Nigeria well-placed among the favourites to lift the title.
One of the factors for Nigeria’s high ratings is the number of in-form top strikers the country can boast of in Europe.
Head coach Jose Peseiro has to pick for the tournament not more than six strikers from a list that has Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu, Gift Orban, and Kelechi Iheanacho.
In the absence of a major injury, Napoli’s Osimhen and Leicester City’s Iheanacho are expected to join Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze on the first names on Nigeria’s roster for the AFCON.
It would take something special for Adams to make the team, ahead of more illustrious attackers who have already made their mark with the national team.
Despite not having earned a Super Eagles call-up yet, Adams is confident he can force his way into coach Peseiro’s plans with more Ligue 1 goals.
The 23-year-old is the top-scoring Nigeria forward in the French top division with five goals, and he says he knows how to make it to Ivory Coast 2023.
“The target is simple – score more goals with my club before the end of the year that it will be impossible for the Super Eagles to continue to overlook me going into the AFCON,” Adams told Score Nigeria.
Nantes and FC Lorient missed out on Adams
Adams only joined Montpellier in the summer from Norwegian side Lillestrøm.
The French side paid €4.50 million for Adams, who only signed for Lillestrøm on a free transfer in January 2022 after leaving Sogndal.
It has been revealed that Montpellier were not the only club interested in Adams.
According to L’Equipe, Nantes and FC Lorient also targeted Adams, but Montpellier won the race for his signature.
The Jamba Football Academy product has hit the ground running in France, scoring five Ligue 1 goals. He is the highest-scoring Nigerian in the French top flight.
