Afcon 2023: Moses Simon warns against underrating Guinea-Bissau as Iheanacho may make Eagles’ return

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has claimed that he is fit and ready for action at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Iheanacho joined the Nigeria squad late for the competition after staying back at Sky Bet Championship club Leicester City to receive treatment for a muscle injury.

The 27-year-old arrived in Abidjan on the eve of Nigeria’s opening fixture against Equatorial Guinea.

The forward was named among the substitutes for the game and the Super Eagles’ second fixture with Cote d’Ivoire.

Iheanacho is, however, looking forward to making his first appearance for the three-time African champions against Guinea-Bissau on Monday.

“I’m one hundred percent fit at the moment. I’m good to go,” Iheanacho said at a media parley in Abidjan on Saturday.

“I was lucky that it was just a Grade A muscle injury.”

Meanwhile, Moses Simon has warned the Super Eagles not to underrate Guinea-Bissau ahead of both teams’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, tie on Monday evening at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

According to Simon, Jose Peseiro’s side needs to be wary of Guinea-Bissau because they defeated the Super Eagles during the Afcon qualifiers.

Nigeria heads to the game following a 1-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau lost 4-2 against Equatorial Guinea.

“We have to keep fighting hard and not underrate our next opponent [Guinea-Bissau]. They beat us in the qualifiers which is enough for us to be wary of them,” Simon told reporters ahead of Nigeria’s clash with Guinea-Bissau.

“The good thing is that everything is in our hands now. We know what to do to be in the next round. The victory over Cote D’ Ivore has helped us a lot.

“The most important thing now is for us to keep doing our best in training and on matchdays. It is still a long way to go for us, but the key thing is to remain positive and keep working towards achieving our target.”