Frank Onyeka says Nigeria must set out to win every match as the Super Eagles begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria will face Madagascar’s Barea in their opening qualifier at home in Uyo on Friday, with Onyeka underlining the importance of making a strong start.
“Just like every other match that we’ll be playing, we have to win every game,” the Brentford midfielder told journalists during a media parley in Uyo.
The fixture will be Nigeria’s first competitive focus since they missed out on qualification for the World Cup, a disappointment Onyeka acknowledged while looking ahead to the next Africa Cup of Nations.
“I know we’re quite disappointed not to qualify for the World Cup, but now we’re back,” he said. “We have something to prepare for, which is the AFCON next year.”
Onyeka said playing in front of their own supporters made victory against Madagascar particularly important, but warned Nigeria could not afford to underestimate their opponents.
“So, I guess we’ll take every game as it comes, but for us, we want to win this game, especially when we’re playing on our own ground,” he added. “We don’t underestimate anything.”
The midfielder said the Super Eagles were concentrating on their own performance rather than placing undue emphasis on Madagascar.
“We focus only on ourselves. We don’t focus on the opponent,” Onyeka said. “We have to play well to win. That’s what we’re focusing on: to play well and win.”