By Daily Sports on July 14, 2019
Ahead of Sunday’s semi-final clash against Algeria, ex-Nigeria international Joseph Yobo has tipped the Super Eagles to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title if they see off the North African country.
After missing the last two Afcon tournaments, the West African country returned to the continental stage for the first time since their triumph in 2013, and they are just two matches from winning their fourth title on the continent.
Before Nigeria battle Djamel Belmadi’s team at the Cairo International Stadium for their 14th semi-final outing at Afcon, Senegal will lock horns against Tunisia in the first semi on Sunday.
In an exclusive interview with Goal, courtesy of SuperSport, Yobo revealed how Gernot Rohr’s side have overcome their fears in Egypt and he believes they have what it takes to progress against the Desert Foxes.
“When you get into the semi-final you’re favourites, and that’s why it is interesting. The most important thing is for you to get into the semi-final because you’re one game away from the final,” Yobo said.
“In a final, sometimes you might not play well and you will win, anything can happen. Nigeria is very close, at this moment I think we're one of the favourites.
“People might want to downplay it but clearly, if we beat Algeria it is there for us to take. We need to do the hard job and beat Algeria which in my opinion, if not the most outstanding team then they’ve been one of the most outstanding teams in the tournament.
“They have done very well with good games but Nigeria have the momentum now, I think we’ve gone beyond our fears because we’ve beaten two major African giants that’s South Africa and Cameroon. And that will give us confidence.
“At the start of the tournament, it is always difficult but I’m also looking at a Nigeria team that started slow but looking at the last two games in the knockout stages, Nigeria have shown up.
“That means we always show up when it really matters, against Cameroon and South Africa we did well. Against the big teams when it matters, we see the Nigerian spirit, their character and they rise to the occasion, so why not against Algeria.
“Nigeria is one of the favourites at the moment, it is a battle of four and the four teams have been very good. It is actually difficult to pick the no. 1 favourite who will win the title but the final will decide.” (Goal)
•Photo shows Joseph Yobo
Source Daily Sports
Posted July 14, 2019
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