In a telling move, central defender Kenneth Omeruo joined manager Jose Peseiro at the pre-match press conference on Sunday, hinting at his anticipated involvement in the upcoming clash between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. With an impressive record, Omeruo stands as the player with the highest number of AFCON appearances in the current squad.

Omeruo notched his sixteenth career AFCON appearance during Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast on January 18, 2024, coming off the bench in the final ten minutes to replace Zaidu Sanusi.

Despite Guinea-Bissau facing consecutive losses in the ongoing tournament, Omeruo cautioned his Super Eagles teammates against underestimating their opponents. He emphasized the challenging nature of the competition, noting that even some prominent African teams have encountered difficulties in the Ivory Coast-hosted event.

“This is going to be an interesting game because they are a team we are familiar with. Some people said it was going to be an easy game, but there’s no easy game now, especially in this tournament,” Omeruo conveyed to reporters.

He highlighted the overall improvement in African teams, indicating the absence of straightforward matches. Omeruo affirmed the team’s commitment to approaching the game with utmost seriousness, recognizing the need to secure a victory.

As Nigeria prepares to face Guinea-Bissau, Omeruo’s seasoned perspective adds an element of caution and respect for the unpredictable dynamics of the AFCON tournament.