File Photo: Nigeria s Victor Osimhen kicks the ball during the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea s in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. AP
The runners-up at the last edition open their Nations Cup campaign on Tuesday with what appears an easier Group C game against Tanzania.
The group also includes Tunisia and Uganda.
Three-time African champions Nigeria missed the chance to reach next year’s World Cup after losing to Gabon in the play-offs last November.
“Last month was really disappointing. We have moved on, but the memory still lingers. We are going to war,” Osimhen told reporters on Monday.
“Tuesday is the first match and we will give everything.
“We are not underrating anyone in our group, but I think we are up there with so many favorites in this tournament.
“We are going to give our all to make sure we realise the dream of winning the AFCON, but it is not going to be easy.
“I am positive about this squad.”
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year, who plays for Turkish giants Galatasaray, said he is ready to feature after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained while playing for his club.
Osimhen is Nigeria’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, with 31 goals in 46 appearances, behind the late Rashidi Yekini, who scored 37 goals in 62 matches.
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