Football

Jose Peseiro lauds Ivory Coast after AFCON victory

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro © Courtesy

By Rama Mohammed | Monday, February 12, 2024

The Super Eagles of Nigeria lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament on Sunday evening

Nigeria Head Coach Jose Peseiro has admitted Ivory Coast was the better side in the AFCON final played at the Allasane Outtara Stadium in Embipe, Northern Abidjan yesterday.

The Super Eagles surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 but the Portuguese admits the hosts were the much better side.

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"We started strongly but faded off after they (Ivory Coast) equalised. Are there things we could have done better? Yes of course, we tried to change tactics but it was a little bit too late. We had used some strategies to get to the final but this particular game things just didn't work out for us," he said,

"Credits goes to Ivory Coast. They were hungrier and resilient throughout the game. They deserved to win the final and the trophy." He added.

Peseiro's contract is approaching the tail end and there's uncertainty over a renewal which has now been complicated further by the fact that the Super Eagles didn't win the continental showpiece.

If he won’t change his football tactics and not play haram football we should keep him.

But if you have the best attacking talents in the continent by a huge mile, and still want to play 9 at the back when you need a goal, na he should leave.

Chukwueze looked lost in every…
— TIMMY🇳🇬🇨🇦🎾🏀⚽️ (@Teee_Meeee) February 12, 2024

Peseiro however remains undeterred; "I don't care much about what people say about me. We fought hard throughout the tournament and got to the final. Mine is just to do my job. Whatever happens in future, I have no control but I will keep doing my best." He said.

Focus now shifts to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.