'Know them really well' - Onyeka ready for war against CIV midfield generals Sangare, Kessie, Fofana

The highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations showdown between Ivory Coast and Nigeria could be decided by what happens in the middle of the park. 

Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset played three in the middle in his side's routine 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau, handing starting berths to Nottingham Forest's Ibrahim Sangaré, Al Ahli's Franck Kessié and  Al Nassr's Seko Fofana.

Frank Onyeka and Alhassan Yusuf were deployed in midfield alongside Alex Iwobi in Nigeria's draw against Equatorial Guinea. 

The biggest question mark heading into Thursday's fixture at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé is the player to replace Yusuf in midfield as the Royal Antwerp star is not available for selection due to the injury he sustained in the second half against Equatorial Guinea. 

Onyeka knows he has a key role to play if the Super Eagles are to beat the Elephants and is relishing the prospect of facing Ivory Coast's midfield generals Sangaré, Kessié and Fofana.

Speaking to reporters in Abidjan, Onyeka stated: "Most of here play against those guys in Europe. Ibrahim Sangaré plays for Nottingham Forest. I watched him, played against him. Franck Kessié played for AC Milan before he went to Saudi Arabia.

"The only person I really do not know is Seko Fofana. These are players that play in Europe, big leagues, so most of us know them really well. 

"I know it's not going to be an easy game but it's going to be an interesting game."
 

The stats show Onyeka was the top tackler in the Nigeria v Equatorial Guinea game, having registered a game-high four tackles. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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