Jean-Louis Gasset, the head coach of Cote d’Ivoire, has expressed deep admiration for the Nigerian national team, known as the Super Eagles.
The Ivory Coast team, Les Elephants, is scheduled to compete against the Super Eagles during the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The host nation will commence the tournament with a match against Guinea-Bissau’s Djurtus, while the Super Eagles will face Equatorial Guinea in their opening game.
The clash between the former champions is set to take place at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium on January 18.
Gasset acknowledged that both Les Elephants and the Super Eagles may not be as formidable as before but cautioned that his team should still exercise caution when facing their fellow West African counterparts.
“Unfortunately, we are to meet Nigeria in our second game,” Gasset told ACLSports.
“I would have loved it to be the last. They say the Elephants are no longer as great as they were; I see the same for Nigeria, too.
“Back in the day, the Super Eagles were phenomenal, but things have changed. However, they remain a solid side and could destroy any team in the competition, so you have to be careful.”
