Nigerian residents in Côte d’Ivoire have pleaded with the Super Eagles to defeat the host country when they clash in their second group match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) on Thursday.
Disappointed by the Super Eagles' 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in the first group game, the Nigerian fans are worried about the Eagles' next match against the host team.
An estimated three million Nigerians live in the Francophone country, according to the Nigeria Embassy in Abidjan.
Many of them were born there while some migrated. Some of these people have now made their fears known as both nations are set to clash in a sold-out AFCON group B match on Thursday.
Some expressed their fears to Nigeria Info on Wednesday.
"Let's say they are in their country. I have watched several matches in Côte d'Ivoire here when Nigeria played against them. If you're winning them in the first half and you go into the dressing room and return, they'll beat us,” Atanda Lateef, an elderly Nigerian man, born in Abidjan said.
“They have that, if they cannot beat us physically, they'll beat us with juju. They are prepared for everything because of this AFCON.
“My advice for the Nigerian team is to play well and not be humiliated on the field. If they're going to lose it should not be more than one goal. They should play well and pray well. If they can perform more than that and win, I'll be happy. But it's like 80 to 20 percent odds," said Lawal, another Nigerian resident in Abidjan.
Atanda Sodiq, a young businessman, is afraid losing to Côte d'Ivoire will make him close his business.
“That tomorrow's match against Côte d'Ivoire, if we don't win, I don't think I'll go to my shop for like two months,” he said.
“Because the way they normally disrespect us if we don't win any game or when we lose to them, hmm. All I'll say is if Victor Osihmen can see this interview, he should try and score like four or five goals against them because I know if we beat them like that we'll have mouth and confidence to walk.
“But if they beat us, we won't go to shop again o and there will be nothing for us to eat.”
For Oyewunmi Usman Bolaji, a student, it'll be unspeakable for the Eagles to lose.
"We are the ones who banter them most amongst all other immigrants. If we lose to them, they won't even mind coming into our homes to make a mockery of us.
“At least if we won't beat them, let's play a draw but losing should be out of it. Our players should step up their game.”
Pastor Bright, who has lived in Abidjan for more than 25 years, was disappointed with the result of the Super Eagles’ first match.
"Everybody is angry about the first draw. This is an opportunity for the Eagles to regain what we lost,” he told Nigeria Info.
“So, they should concentrate and not joke with this game. I believe they'll win the game if they do this. Even the Ivory Coast themselves know Nigeria can win them.
“As big as Nigeria's name is in football, we need winning. So we're expecting 2-nil or 3-1 because we're very big in football. So everybody is expecting this.”
The match between Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria is set to be played at the Stade Alhassan Ouattara.
