Watch: Super Eagles train in Abidjan ahead of tricky AFCON 2023 opening match against Equatorial Guinea

The former African champions are on the quest for a fourth AFCON trophy and their first in 11 years

The Super Eagles have settled down in Abidjan and have stepped up preparations for their opening Group A match at the CAF 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian national team arrived in Cote d’Ivoire, hosts of the 34th edition of the continental championship, on Wednesday after an eight-hour-long trip from Lagos.

The Eagles had a recovery session on the same day as head coach Jose Peseiro aimed to keep his charges in perfect condition for the challenges ahead.

The Nigerian contingent had also endured an intercontinental journey from the United Arab Emirates to Lagos on Tuesday, following a week-long training camp in Abu Dhabi.

However, on Thursday (today), the Super Eagles took to the lush green pitch of the École Nationale de la Police in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, for their intensive training schedule.

See the images below.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday, January 13, with Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau battling out in the opening match.

Nigeria will take centre stage on Sunday when they face giant-killing Equatorial Guinea.

Since making their debut at the AFCON in 2012, the National Thunder have always made their mark on the tournament.

Equatorial Guinea reached the quarterfinals in their maiden appearance, finished in fourth place when they were the hosts in 2015, and made it to the quarterfinals at the last edition in Cameroon.

It would be recalled that Nigeria exited Cameroon 2021 in the first knockout round after winning all three group matches.