'It's true" - Ivory Coast coach cites Osimhen as he admits Super Eagles are more talented than Elephants

Ivory Coast coach Jean Louis Gasset has admitted that the Super Eagles are more talented than his side heading into tomorrow's encounter in the second matchday of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The host nation will be seeking to book their place in the knockout phases by beating Nigeria tomorrow having won their first game against Guinea Bissau.

The Elephants will be well aware of the difficulty in the task ahead as the Super Eagles will also be willing to get their first victory of the tournament in the encounter.

With the Super Eagles boasting of the reigning CAF Men's Player of the Year in Victor Osimhen, Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi, in-form Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Jean Louis Gasset namechecked Osimhen as he admitted to the superiority in talent of Jose Peseiro's side in comparison to his team 

The French tactician made this admission in his pre-match conference on Wednesday and said his charges will have to play at a higher level in tomorrow's game.

" It's true that on paper Nigeria has more talent and a range to make several teams with (Victor) Osimhen who is the plus man of this team.

"On the other hand, we have a team that must raise its level of play to achieve a coherent match against Nigeria."

The 70-year-old also gave fitness updates on former West Ham striker Sébastien Haller and Brighton forward Simon Adingra who missed their game against Guinea Bissau.

"Sébastien (Haller) and Simon (Adingra) have returned to training. They put their crampons on again, they worked with us and we are on time so that they can participate in the competition."

The potential return of Haller in particular will  be a big boost for the Elephants, considering that he has netted 3 goals in his last four games for them.

 Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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