Kanu tips Eagles for 2015 AFCON title

Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, has ruled out every other team from dethroning Nigeria as the champions of Africa at next year’s Nations Cup in Morocco.

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A alongside South Africa, Sudan and a team yet to emerge from the first round qualifiers.

Kanu, who was unable to win the title during his career, told our correspondent on Wednesday in Lagos that the Super Eagles have shed the toga of being second-best on the continent after their success in South Africa last year.

“Not team can stop Nigeria in that group; the Super Eagles will finish top of he group. The era of losing is over. We’re going to top the group and go to the Nations Cup to defend our title. We’ll repeat what we did in South Africa (in 2013). We’re back to being champions and we’ll continue to be champions (at the next AFCON),” the former African Footballer of the Year said.

Kanu said only the best preparation can get the Super Eagles ready for the World Cup,

warning that the group may not be as easy as some pundits predict.

“I can easily say that Nigeria will do well at the World Cup, but saying it is not the same as doing it. We have to prepare well and focus on each game. By now
the coach should know his players and his strategy. It’s not going to be an easy tournament (for Nigeria) that’s why they call it the World Cup.”

The former Arsenal forward is worried that the London club is not achieving as much success as he expected and he called on Arsene Wenger to spend in the summer.

He said, “Arsenal must go to the market to buy (players); they must invest. It is important to buy the right player at the right time. I know Wenger doesn’t want to buy but it’s important that he does. The club needs top players especially after seeing the team’s decline during some crucial matches.”