AFCON 2023: Nigeria is a ‘dangerous’ opponent to face- Chelsea Legend Salomon Kalou Warns Ivory Coast

As reported by Euro Sport, Salomon Kalou, the former Chelsea forward, expressed caution regarding Nigeria's team in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Kalou, who is now retired, described Nigeria as a 'dangerous' opponent for Ivory Coast in their second Group A game scheduled for January 18, 2024.

The host nation, Ivory Coast, will commence their campaign with a challenging match against Guinea Bissau. Following this, they will encounter Nigeria and conclude their group stage with a game against Equatorial Guinea. Kalou, a member of the Ivorian team that triumphed in the 2015 Nations Cup, acknowledges the strength of all teams in their group.

Speaking to CAF Online, Kalou highlighted the importance of respecting all competitors in the tournament. He noted the strong potential of Nigeria, the commendable performance of Equatorial Guinea in the last edition, and the possibility of Guinea Bissau emerging as a surprise. Kalou emphasized the significance of winning the first match to set a positive tone for the rest of the competition.

Kalou reminisced about his contributions to the Ivorian team's success in 2015, including scoring in the penalty shootouts against Ghana. His experiences and insights add depth to his analysis of the upcoming challenges in the Africa Cup of Nations.