Nigeria are the team many did not tip to claim this edition of the Afcon being played in Cameroon.

Amidst the negativity coming from the tournament as a result of the filthy refereeing by Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe and Ghana who took things in their own hands against Gabon, there is so much going on to say it is more than the ‘little’ one Liverpool manager claimed it was.

Nigeria are hitting the right buttons at this tournament. They started with seven times champions Egypt who many did not include on their winning menus.

With Iheanacho’s goal, the Super Eagles went on to register their first solid claim of the tournament. Their display was impressive and one that drew many to the screens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XInKIw1WMvk

Egypt had their star player Mo Salah and you would think Nigeria defensive pairing of William Troost-Ekong who plays for Watford in England and Kenneth Omeruo of Leganes were on top of their game to excellently keep the Liverpool man quiet.

Nigeria are known for struggling against unknown opposition in such tournaments. Against Sudan, it appeared one of the easiest assignments for interim manager Augustine Eguavoen.

The Super Eagles who continue to attract many supporters flocking into Cameroon after the big win against Egypt opened the floodgates with 22 year old Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze.

Then Union Berlin forward Taiwo Awoniyi scored from close range, pouncing on a loose ball to claim his nation’s second as the end of first half came to a close.

French side forward Moses Simon then sent the game beyond Sudan’s reach by guarding home with his head immediately the two sides returned from the dressing room for the second half.

Sudan then got a consolation through Walieldin Khidir who scored from the spot after VAR intervention following Ola Aina’s foul on the forward.

Nigeria’s collective game coupled with balance in the set up has seen them sweep aside Egypt and Sudan in the group. They do not even have their star man Victor James Osimhen who plays his club football for Napoli.

But the group of players who play for little known outfits in Europe will take their country to the later stages of this tournament.

Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana have struggled in their opening games. They are the teams most pundits tipped to have a say on this tournament.

Cameroon like Nigeria have found it easy getting the results they needed. With home advantage they are putting up performances the Super Eagles can envy.

They hit Ethiopia four goals with their target man Abubaker Vincent hitting a brace to take his tournament tally to four goals.