NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has affirmed that the three-time champions are fully prepared to unleash their full potential when the 34th Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Côte d’Ivoire on January 13, 2024.

He made this known during a meeting with Ivory Coast’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, at the NFF Secretariat. Gusau expressed his admiration for the Ivorian government’s substantial investments in stadiums and related infrastructure, ensuring the country’s readiness to host the continental tournament four decades after staging the 14th edition in 1984.

“I have been receiving regular briefings on the preparations from the President of Cote d’Ivoire Football Federation, Yacine Idriss Diallo, a personal friend. I know that the Government of Cote d’Ivoire has invested in stadiums and general infrastructure to make the AFCON a success and a huge spectacle.

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“Our two teams (Super Eagles and Elephants) are in the same group at the finals, and it would be a very interesting game when we play on 18^th January. We know the whole of Africa and even the world will be focused on Cote d’Ivoire before, during and after the AFCON, and our team will be ready to do its best. When Cote d’Ivoire hosted the AFCON in 1984, our Eagles finished second. This time, we will work very hard to emerge as champions.

The Ivorien Ambassador also congratulated the NFF on the fact that Nigeria is one of the 24 participating nations at the upcoming AFCON, and used the opportunity to invite the NFF leadership to the Ivorian National Day, to be celebrated at the embassy of Cote d’Ivoire on Friday, 17^th November.