Afcon 2023: Peseiro wants to pack the bus against Cameroon so what if his Danfo breaks down on Third Mainland Bridge

The attack they say is the best means of defence and it is not a subject of debate that the Super Eagles have the best attackers at the ongoing 2023 Afcon in Cote d’Ivoire.

Even with Taiwo Awoniyi, Umar Sadiq, and Victor Bobiface injured we still have Victor Osimhen, the best striker in the highly competitive Italian league and reigning African Footballer of the Year, we have Moses Simon, AC Milan forward Samuel Chukweeze, Aruna Lookman of Atalanta, the quality of our forwards are so good that Kelchi Iheanacho is yet to start a match.

But as the Super Eagles play Cameroon in a must-win match on Saturday, Eagles  Jose Peseiro insisted at a press conference on Friday that will maintain his usual style of packing the bus but what if his Danfo breaks down on Third Mainland Bridge where there are no vulcanizer, mechanic, rewire and even help in terms of towing vehicle may not come as soon as need it or may not come at all.

For Peseiro the Eagles do not need a change in strategy to score more goals at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Peseiro spoke on Friday at the press conference ahead of Afcon’s second-round match against Cameroon.

Despite finishing second in Group A with seven points from three games, the Eagles scored only three goals.

 Osimhen’s 38th-minute header against Equatorial Guinea was the team’s only goal from open play. The other two goals were a William Troost-Ekong penalty and an own goal by Opa Sangante of Guinea-Bissau.

The Eagles’ low productivity in front goal has been a concern for many Nigerians, particularly on social media. With many calling on the coach to change to tactics and strategies that ensure more goals

Addressing the situation, Peseiro said his strategies have “created more clear-cut opportunities” for Nigeria at Afcon, and he would stick to them.

 “I saw a statistic yesterday that our team has created more clear-cut opportunities than others. If we create opportunities, then I cannot change our model — our game. But if we do not create opportunities, then we can change,” the Eagles head coach said.

 “I always repeat to them, do not concede, create chances, and sometimes we can score plenty of goals.

“Goals are like ketchup. Sometimes, you do not score with plenty of opportunities, and you score plenty of goals with little chances.

Peseiro added that the Eagles will try not to concede against Cameroon and “at least score one and go through”.

“It is a tough match, of course. I think eight Afcon titles [between the two countries]. It is a historic match against two big teams,” he said.

 “You know what you must do if you want to beat Cameroon. You do not want to concede goals and at least score one and go through. We must play with the same enthusiasm, demand, and focus for that.

 “We must sacrifice for running, fighting, playing, and enjoying the game.”

Meanwhile, former Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo, believes Alex Iwobi can be the creative link  against Cameroon,

“Our strength is from the flanks but if we can be creative from the middle, we will create more chances, but that is lacking. So, we are not getting much from the attacking midfield,” Yobo said via AfroSport.

 “We have more defensive players and you can only work with what you have. We don’t have creative attacking options, what we have are players from the flanks either as full-backs or wing-backs.

“In the midfield, I think when Iwobi peaks, when he plays to his strength, I think we will see his creativity up front.”

Despite not scoring as many goals, Yobo applauded the team for their compactness at the back.

“We have been solid defensively and even our goalkeeper hasn’t been tested. That means we are doing something right there and we have to take the positive from that.”