Cote d’Ivoire head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset says he has huge respect for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Les Elephants and the Super Eagles will face-off in the group stage at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The hosts will kick-start the competition against the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau, while the Super Eagles first game is against Equatorial Guinea.
The former champions will clash at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium on January 18.
Gasset accepted that both the Elephants and Super Eagles are not that strong again but warned his side must still be careful of their fellow West Africans.
“Unfortunately, we are to meet Nigeria in our second game,” Gasset told ACLSports.
“I would have loved it to be the last. They say the Elephants are no longer as great as they were; I see the same for Nigeria, too.
“Back in the day, the Super Eagles were phenomenal, but things have changed. However, they remain a solid side and could destroy any team in the competition, so you have to be careful.”
