Afcon 2023 : Peseiro delighted with Eagles’ performance against Sao Tome
The manager of the Super Eagles Jose Peseiro is satisfied with Our Boys' performance against Sao Tome on Sunday in their last group match of the Afcon 2023 slated for Cote d’Ivoire next January.
Our Boys defeated Sao Tome and Principe by 6-0.
Speaking after the match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo Peseiro, who was full of excitement commended the Akwa Ibom people and government for the quality of facilities provided for the match.
He said the team played a fantastic match as they were not relaxed in spite of playing against a weak opponent.
“I’ll like to say congratulations to the people and government of Akwa Ibom because I see today was a fantastic atmosphere.
“The fans were fantastic today, I say thank you. I like the people here, everything provided for us was good.
“Our players played with maximum commitment. They want to play for me, I assembled them to win the AFCON Cup and today they have shown good commitment in their play.
“Normally if you play against a team that is not strong everybody relaxes, but today they did not relax. It is a fantastic game by the players, 6-0 is very good,” Peseiro said.
Wilfred Ndidi who spoke on behalf of the players said the scoreline will motivate them in future competitions, as they will be preparing for the World Cup qualifier.
He said, “Of course when you win a game it gives you more confidence. It is actually a good game that will give us more confidence for the next game of World Cup qualifier, of course, 6-0 is good confidence for next game.”
The Assistant Coach of the Falcons and True Parrots of Sao Tome and Principe, William Barbosa, blamed his defeat on the fact that they were young, new, and had only two training before the match.
Victor Osimhen scored three out of the six goals Nigeria scored.
Nigeria had put ten goals past their opponent when they met in the reverse fixture earlier and this was expected to be a stroll in the park for the Super Eagles – exactly how it turned out on the night.
Osimhen opened his and Nigeria’s account in the 14th minute before Ademola Lookman’s effort made it two to end the first half.
In-form Nottingham Forest forward, Taiwo Awoniyi got in on the act just after resumption of proceedings with an acrobatic kick to make it three and it became a party from then on.
Osimhen won and converted a penalty, and then substitute Samuel Chukwueze provided an assist to help him complete his haul. Chukwueze turned scorer in the final minutes with an assist from Victor Boniface to wrap up an emphatic victory.
The victory ensures Nigeria wins the group with 15 points.
Osimhen’s outing takes his tally to 10 and puts him in pole position to finish the qualifiers as the highest goal scorer ahead of Sadio Mane, Muhammed Salah,
and other prolific scorers on the continent.
