Afcon 2023: Chukwueze and Osimhen posit Eagles are a title contender

Super Eagles and AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze believes the team has shown everyone that the Super Eagles are serious about adding to their three continental titles.

"We played with our hearts. This game shows we are ready to fight for Afcon," he said.

"This group is complicated but the most important game now is the last game.

"There is no small country in this Afcon and Guinea-Bissau are good. We've played them twice in qualifying and we lost one.

"We need to win the last game to top the group and ensure we qualify for the next round."

Also looking ahead to their next game against the Guineans, who are without a point in the group, Osimhen emphasised not underestimating their opponent.

He stated, “We aim for a strong performance against Guinea-Bissau. They will undoubtedly approach the game with determination, and we won’t underestimate any team, considering what they’ve done to qualify.”

Nigeria's biggest dilemma coming into the tournament was in goal, with regular keeper Francis Uzoho coming in for heavy criticism before the tournament.

Stanley Nwabili has taken the number one jersey for the first two games and the 27-year-old hopes the confidence that has been shown him can transfer through to the rest of the team.

"When the coach believes in you, you bring more confidence with you into the team," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"I feel like I can do more to bring that confidence into the team. I don't feel like Nigeria has seen my top performance."

The Chippa United keeper was also quick to defend Uzoho.

"Francis is a good guy and I don't know why they talk about him. It was unfair, to be honest. He deserved better," Nwabili said.

"It's our first time working together - he is good."