AFCON 2021: Nigeria, Egypt will progress to knockout stage, says Ike Shorunmu

Ike Shorunmu, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper, says he foresees Nigeria and Egypt progressing to the knockout stage of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Super Eagles were on Tuesday drawn in group D alongside Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau ahead of the tournament that will hold between January 9 to February 6, 2022, in Cameroon.

In a chat with TheCable, Shorunmu advised the Gernot Rohr-led team to get enough training if they seek to navigate the group with ease.

“All we need to do is get our homework done well. Adequate preparation is key for the Eagles to achieve this,” he said.

Shorunmu, a former goalkeeper trainer of the three-time African champions, also said although, “I foresee Egypt and Nigeria getting out of the group to the knock-out stage,” Eagles should not underrate any team in the group.

“But I foresee Egypt and Nigeria getting out of the group for the knockout stage,” Shorunmu told TheCable.

“Well, it’s going to be a tough and tricky group for the Super Eagles to navigate.

“Egypt are seven-time champion of the Nation’s Cup. Sudan is a tricky and strong side, though, a lot of people are not giving them that credit. They beat South Africa and Ghana during the qualifying stage to get to the tournament proper.

“We should not underrate any team in our group because there are no minnows in football anymore. And especially when it comes to Nigeria, they always double their effort to shock us.

Shorunmu was the first-choice goalkeeper of the national team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

He was also part of the country’s 1992 AFCON squad in Senegal.