Afcon 2023: Ivorian coach blames Eagles' defensive play for defeat as Peseiro urges Our Boys to stay humble.

The head coach of the Cote d’Ivoire national team, Jean Louis Gasset, has blamed Super Eagles' defensive play for their 1-0 defeat on Thursday.

The Elephants were looking to win their second successive game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after seeing off Guinea-Bissau in their opener.

However, the hosts struggled to break down the Super Eagles and eventually gave away a penalty in the second half.

Nigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong, stepped up to smash what proved to be the winner.

The Ivorians ran out of energy early and despite nine minutes of stoppage time, never looked likely to break down the Super Eagles, who won on Ivory Coast soil for the first time in 10 attempts.

“We could not impose ourselves physically but it was the small details that favoured Nigeria,” Gasset said.

Ivory Coast will meet Equatorial Guinea in their final group game on Monday, while Nigeria will play Guinea-Bissau at the same time.

Elsewhere, Jose Peseiro says the Super Eagles must remain humble despite their victory against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

The Super Eagles produced a gritty display in the game to underline their title credentials.

Despite the win, Peseiro stated that his team must keep working hard to achieve their objective in the competition.

“Now we must eat well, rest, and focus on the next game. It’s not the time to start celebrating,” Peseiro said during his interaction with the media after the game.

“We have a game against Guinea-Bissau which we have to win. We have to be ready for them,” he said.

The encounter against the Djurtus will take place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, next Monday.

Peseiro is delighted to have put in place “a strategy that worked” against the Ivorians but is already looking forward to the last group game against Guinea-Bissau.

“For the next match, we have to control the game, try to be less timid, and not give possession to the opponent.

“I told my players not to savour the victory. We have four days left before the next match. From day one I told them: ‘You must win the Afcon’,” Peseiro said.