Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro thanked God after his side’s 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast.
After his side’s latest triumph at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a coach has declared that the victory came from God.
Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro was in a state of immense gratitude to a higher power after Nigeria beat tournament hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 to move to second place in Group A and one step closer to making it to the next round.
Read: European-based star: Matches in Africa are far more difficult
A 55th minute penalty conversion by William Troost-Ekong after Victor Osimhen was fouled in the area was enough to hand the Super Eagles all three points.
“God didn’t take this from us,” Peseiro said in a post-match press briefing per Peoples Gazette.
“God gave us because we deserve it,” he added.
Delighted by the victory against a side who had roaring home supporters behind them, the Portuguese tactician noted how “a strategy that worked” was successfully implemented but highlighted areas of improvement.
“For the next match we have to control the game, try to be less timid and not give possession to the opponent,” he said per CAF.
However, the Super Eagles boss warned against revelling in the result for too long.
“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’.”
Read: Hotto, Shalulile & co receive exorbitant reward after AFCON heroics
Nigeria will be looking to take advantage of the new-found spring in their step when they face Guinea-Bissau on Monday, 22 January at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny stadium in what will be their third and final round of Group A action.
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