Super Eagles deserve the victory—Jose Peseiro

Super Eagles deserve the victory—Jose Peseiro

Samuel Abodunrin

The Head Coach for the Nigeria Super Eagles Jose Peseiro has claimed that his team deserved the victory against South Africa in the AFCON 2023 Semi final on Wednesday.

The three times African champions, got the lead as Captain Troost Ekong made no mistake from the penalty spot after the referee pointed to the spot following a foul on Víictor Osimhen in the 67th minute.

The Super Eagles looked to have taken the game away with a beautiful counter attack goal from Victor Osimhen. However, the goal was reviewed and canceled for a penalty to be awarded on the other side of the pitch for South Africa in the 90th minute after a foul call in the build up to Nigeria’s counter attack goal.

The match entered into extra time after a 1-1 draw at regular time and subsequently a penalty shootout. The Super Eagles won the Penalty 4-2 with Stanley Nwabili keeping out two South African Penalties even as Ola Aina missed his spot kick for Nigeria.

Speaking at the post match conference, Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Posseiro said the Super Eagles deserved the victory against a very good, difficult to beat South African team who played together and created problems for the Super Eagles.

Jose Peseiro also stated that his team mentality was of a big spirit as they fought together after the big call to go from 2-0 to 1-1 within few minutes which could have down the spirit of any team.

Furthermore, he said the team spirit is the reason why big players he introduced for the first time in the competition Moffi and Kelechi came in and contributed well. He however acknowledged the fact that the Super Eagles struggled in the first half of the extra time but that was fixed during the break.

The Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro also spoke about Sanusi Zaidu who was not in action for the team. Peseiro said Zaidu was injured in the last match and didn’t train but hopes he will recover for the final.

When asked about Nigeria’s Goal Keeper performance, Peseiro said he had confidence in all his players and Goal keepers as he checked their performances in their respective clubs.

Peseiro claimed he personally spoke with friends in South Africa who sent videos of Nwabili for Chippas United and requested from the NFF to traveled to South Africa to watch him and meet his coaches where he discovered Nwabili has the capacity and quality to be Super Eagles number one.

He claimed it was never easy to put a National team together due to fewer number of days to train together and build a formidable team as well as issues with scouting for players.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Côte d’lvoire in the AFCON 23 final on Sunday February 11, 2024. Both sides met in the group stage of the ongoing AFCON 23 with Nigeria winning the encounter 1-0. Super Eagles looks set to be on their way to their fourth success on the continent, can Côte d’lvoire stop the Super Eagles?