Former Eagles goalie and Hapoel Iksal Imad, Bamidele Aiyenugba has charged the players of the Eagles to step up as other countries would be looking to defeat them in the tournament, knowing that they are a power house in African football.

Aiyenugba urged the team while speaking with www.brila.net to ensure they raise their game and powerhouse are still a force to reckon with.

“Every country, especially on the African continent, whenever they see Nigeria, they always want to show their strength and power so i know it will not be easy for the players in the nations cup”.

“However I am very confident that with the players we have, Nigeria will do well as not being there for the past 2 editions will spur them to give a good account of themselves”

“We have the players all acroos Europe and the world, and I believe they will deliver” he concluded.

Meanwhile concerning preparation for the tornament, sports minister Achraf Sobhi revealed that the opening ceremony and first match would take place in the 74 000 capacity Cairo International Stadium which was renovated before Egypt hosted the 2006 edition.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli said this weekend that work had begun at the stadium to replace the pitch.

Football Federation president Hany Abou Rida said he had every confidence the country would deliver a tournament to make the nation proud.

The North African country has experience in mass tourism, has a multitude of hotels, two international airports, in Cairo and near Alexandria, and a road network linking the main cities.