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Despite missing the services of captain Azubuike Okechukwu and forward Taiwo Awoniyi for Saturday’s U-23 AFCON opener against Ivory Coast, Nigeria coach Imama Amakapabo is optimistic about the chances of his team against the fellow West Africans, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The West African derby, scheduled for 3 pm Egypt time (2 pm in Nigeria), will unfold at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo.

Captain Okechukwu and top striker Awoniyi will miss the Group B opener on Saturday, but Amapakabo will rely on what he already had.

“We have players in camp here who are ready to give their all and do Nigeria proud any day, any time. We are quietly confident, and will take it one match at a time,” he said in a statement from the NFF.

“We are quite aware that as defending champions, so much is expected of us. This team will throw everything into the battle and ensure it does not disappoint Nigerians.”

Former FIFA U17 World Cup-winning captain Kelechi Nwakali will stand–in for Okechukwu and will be expected to supply the ammunition from the midfield for the strikers, including his former U17 teammate Orji Okwonkwo, to make hay at the fore.

The Nigeria team is brimming with hard workers, such as defenders Valentine Ozornwafor, Olisah Ndah, Sincere Seth and Anthony Izuchukwu, and midfielders Sunusi Ibrahim, Muyiwa Olabiran, Ndifreke Effiong.

England–based Tom Dele-Bashiru, who starred for the Nigeria U20 team at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland this year summer, will be expected to provide some top competition experience and steel in the middle.