Super Eagles manager, Jose Peseiro, has stated that his team will do everything possible to be victorious in the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Peseiro who announced his 25-man squad for the tournament conceded that Eagles are in tough group, “with the likes of Ivory Coast it is definitely going to be tough,” Peseiro said.
In his words, “The Eagles’ group is not easy because hosts Ivory Coast is one of the favourites for the tournament due to their good squad and that they are playing at home,” the Portuguese coach told Nigeria Football Federation TV.
“Equatorial Guinea did better than Nigeria at the last AFCON, they got to the quarter-finals and Guinea-Bissau beat us at home in the qualifiers so it’s going to be a tough tournament, a tough job for us because we need to put in focus everytime, every minute and every seconds in the match.”
Peseiro disclosed that it was NFF’s decision to go with 25-man squad as against the initial 27-man squad to the tournament.
The squad comprises three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders, and eight attackers.
“The NFF decided that we announce a squad of 25 for the tournament and I agreed because we have to manage the squad training,” Peseiro continued.
“We first came up with the 41 players then the players who made the final list have been with us and they have shown good performance.
“There are players who showed good performance in their clubs but didn’t do well in the national team. Also, there are players who do well for the national team and didn’t do well in their clubs.
“We looked at current form, if they are playing well and showed good condition.
The tournament is scheduled to hold from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
