Jose Peseiro, the head coach of the Super Eagles, has emphasized the importance of readiness as Nigeria aims to secure its fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in the upcoming tournament in Cote d’Ivoire. Peseiro acknowledged the formidable competition on the African continent and stressed the need for the team to face it head-on.
Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 AFCON includes notable talents such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Samuel Chukwueze. The Super Eagles have been drawn into Group A alongside the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
The Portuguese coach expressed his belief in the strength of the opposition in their group and the tournament as a whole, stating, “If we aspire to win the AFCON, we must be prepared to confront any team. Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau are formidable opponents. To secure the AFCON title, we must first conquer our group.”
Peseiro emphasized the unpredictability of tournaments and the necessity of meticulous preparation, particularly in a short and intense event like the AFCON. He further stated, “Our primary objective is to triumph in our group and advance to the next phase. However, our journey begins with matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, and ultimately, we aim to qualify for the next World Cup.”
The Super Eagles will kick off their AFCON 2023 campaign against Equatorial Guinea at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium in Ebimpe on January 14, 2024. Cote d’Ivoire is set to host the competition from January 13 to February 11, offering a thrilling football spectacle.