With three goals scored after three group games by Nigeria’s senior men’s national team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro has spoken on reasons for the low-scoring feat of the team despite their attacking talents.
With Victor Osimhen and defender William Troost Ekong scoring the team’s goals coupled with an own goal by Opa Sangante at the competition, the worry is setting in from Nigerian football fans.
Ahead of their next game in the Round of 16, the Portuguese tactician opened up on his technical approach to the games.
“Our team scored more goals during the qualifiers, created many chances, and lost many chances. They played an offensive match and tried to enjoy the game as well as create opportunities,” Peseiro said during the post-match press conference.
“Sometimes in this tournament, it is not easy to do that. It is good to manage this. Some teams play more in the attack and suffer for it. There were other teams with the best attacks at the last World Cup but Argentina won it.
“It’s my responsibility to choose the best way to win this competition. I choose all the strategies believing that the team doesn’t concede goals.”
Referring to Senegal’s slow start to winning the last AFCON in Cameroon, Peseiro wants a compact team for the tournament.
“I remember Senegal at last AFCON won the tournament and only scored a goal in the first three matches.” He continued. “Won a match and drawn two, qualified with five points, and went on to win.
“In this tournament, you need a compact team. Sometimes you go upfront in search of goals and end up conceding goals.
“When you concede goals, the fans complain about defence, and when you don’t score goals, it is the attack.
We need to set the formation. It is my way. It’s my way. I don’t change my ways because people don’t like what I do, forget that I am a coach.” He concluded.
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