Afcon 2023: Peseiro and Lookman posit Angola will be a harder nut to crack unlike Cameroon

.

  Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro and the hero of the team's 2-0 defeat of Cameroon in the round 16 Ademola Lookman are expecting a tougher when they play Angola on Friday in the quarter-final of the ongoing Afron.

Peseiro spoke with journalists over the weekend after Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the competition’s second round.

Lookman’s brace sent the Eagles past the Indomitable Lions and into a quarter-final clash against Angola.

Peseiro said the match against Angola “will be more difficult” than the Cameroon game, and the Super Eagles players must remain focused on the target.

He added that although Angola might not be among African football heavyweights, the Eagles must do their best to beat them.

“The next match will be more difficult than this one. I think my players know that. We are playing with a fantastic spirit now, but we must be focused on the target and train more before the next match,” Peseiro said.

“I told my players that for this tournament, you need efficacy. Do not suffer, but score your opponents. If they play that way, then we can beat Angola. We will need to do our maximum against Angola.

 “The name of the country might not carry weight, but if we must beat Angola, then we must do our best.”

Also speaking ahead of the game, Lookman in an interview with CAF said, “Angola are a good team. We’ll analyse them and prepare. The further you go, the tougher it gets so we’ll take it game by game.”

Lookman was named the Man of the Match following his two goals in the win over Cameroon and the former Everton man credited the team’s collective effort for the win and award.

He said, “Wow, we’re so happy to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“The more we play together, the more fluid we become. I’m standing here now but this award reflects the whole team’s performance.”

Relishing his first CAF Afcon experience, the 26-year-old added, “I love this atmosphere, it’s incredible. Tonight (Saturday) our fans pushed us to the end because this was Cameroon, and when you wear the Super Eagles shirt, some games resonate more than others.”

Nigeria will face Angola in the quarter-final on February 2 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, by 9 pm.