“We are done celebrating” says focused Chukwueze

Before Sunday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, Samuel Chukwueze stated that the Super Eagles have moved past their post-celebration phase and are now after the title.

Nigeria has been on a celebrating spree after they defeated South Africa via a penalty shootout in a keenly contested affair at the Stade de la Paix on Wednesday.

Chukwueze in his words, claimed that the celebrations are over and what’s pertinent is winning the AFCON trophy.

“We are not in a celebration mood at the moment,” the 24-year-old told Adepoju Tobi Samuel (OgaNlaMedia).

🎙️ Samuel Chukwueze 🎙️

"We are no more in the celebration mood."

Peseiro and the players went straight into business to start preparation for the AFCON final.#AFCONwithOgaNlaMedia – Brought to you by @flyvaluejet. pic.twitter.com/6Nzcl1OgI0

— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) February 8, 2024

“We are trying to recover from the game (vs South Africa in the semis) and focus on the game on Sunday against the host country (Cote d’Ivoire) in the final.”

Although the 24-year-old acknowledged that the matchup wouldn’t be any simpler, he still thinks the Super Eagles will win in their eighth AFCON final.

“It’s not going to be easy, nobody [has] told us it’s going to be easy but I believe in this team and we have been fighting from the start. This is the time to take the trophy back home.”

Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire will be meeting for the second time at this AFCON edition after the Super Eagles won 1-0 in their group stage meeting.

The stakes will, however, be higher at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Sunday 11th, February by 9 p.m. (WAT), as both teams will be eyeing the last laugh.