Afcon 2023: Super Eagles going to Cote d’ Ivoire to win the trophy- Peseiro
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has said the team is not going to Afcon 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire to participate but to win the trophy, "The main goal is to win the Afcon," he says. "We will need to be at our maximum because we know that there is good opposition. There is Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. But we believe we can do it. I believe. And the players believe."
There are challenges. "The structure and organisation are
not like in Europe." Peseiro has agreed to a reduction to his salary so that he could stay on for a tournament originally scheduled for this summer. "The players pushed me to stay because they believe we can win."
Peseiro is trying to build something but was forced to select a number of domestic-based players for friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador last year, a frustration as he tries to foster a sense of togetherness. Not easy when players are coming together from around the world.
"I tried to explain that if you do not come for the friendly matches we cannot improve. Never will you create that connection, not only on the pitch but off it, because the spirit is important. If you meet up more often, you can create that spirit that you need."
Victor Osimhen has joined up with the squad in this international window, setting the example. But he is not alone. Nigeria's depth is a point of difference from the other nations in Africa. "It is not easy for me to choose the strikers or the wingers," laughs Peseiro.
Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi and Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho are in the squad. From Serie A, there is Milan's Samuel Chukwueza and Atalanta's Ademola Lookman. Victor Boniface is the leading scorer at Bayer Leverkusen, top of the Bundesliga.
"When Osimhen goes to Nigeria, everybody wants to touch him or speak with him or wants a picture with him," says Peseiro. "And not just in Nigeria. Everywhere." In qualification for AFCON, he scored 10 goals - twice as many as anyone else for any other country.
"The only reason he did not score more was because he allowed his team-mates to take two penalties. My advice would be to take them! Other players would not allow that but if someone asks him to let them take a penalty, he allows it. He is a good guy.
"He is a strong guy, a smart guy, and an amazing player, defensively and offensively. He can do everything. He pressures the centre-backs, he pressures the line by running in behind. He can attack the ball in the air and on the ground. He is motivated, quick, and strong."
