Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi has asked Nigerians to pray for the team ahead of Saturday's AFCON 2023 clash between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Saturday's encounter will take place at the historic Stade Felix Houphet Boigny, the venue where both teams met for the first time in an AFCON match.
Cameroon defeated Nigeria 3-1 in the 1984 final to win its first-ever AFCON title.
Ajayi, who has started all three of Nigeria's matches at the AFCON 2023 tournament, requested the prayers after the team qualified for the knockout round with 7 points, winning two matches and drawing one.
“Don't give up. We certainly won't be giving up on the pitch,” he implored Nigerians.
“We will be giving everything to fight for our country and to get as far as we can in this competition.
“So, we just we just ask for their support and their prayers,” he told Nigeria Info.
Like other members of the squad, he said he is not fazed that the team doesn't score much.
"No, not at all. Well, you know the aim of the game is to win.
“It doesn't matter if it is five or 1-nil. I think we can be pleased about our defensive solidity and we're sure the goals will come.
"I have full confidence in this team. We know how important the knockout stages are.
“We can't joke with that. We need to be ready from the start of every single game and we definitely will be.”
The defensive midfielder also disclosed why he joined the team in the attacking line during the match against Guinea-Bissau.
"I was just trying to help my team. We needed to progress the ball a little bit more.
“And I sense that we could, we could cause them some trouble on that right flank so I made the most of the space and they allowed me to exploit.”
Nigeria last played Cameroon in an AFCON match at the same stage in the 2019 edition in Egypt; a match which the Super Eagles won 3-2.
Striker Odion Ighalo scored two goals while midfielder Alex Iwobi got the winning goal for Nigeria.
