Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has said though the 1-1 draw
against Equatorial Guinea at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote
d’Ivoire was disappointing, he was satisfied with the performance of his
players.
Peseiro said his players were determined to win the match
but failed to convert their chances at goal.
He expressed the hope that Super Eagle players will improve
their finishing as the tournament progresses.
He insisted that Super Eagles were better than their
opponents, Equatorial Guinea but were simply unlucky.
Peseiro made this known while reacting to Nigeria’s 1-1 draw
against Equatorial Guinea at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote
d’Ivoire.
But beyond the slightly disappointing result, Peseiro said
he is satisfied with the performance of his players.
“We hoped to win this match and we did everything to win.
He however expressed disappointment in his team’s inability
to convert their chances at goal.
“I am not happy. I deserved to win, this draw doesn’t suit
us.
“Our team created a lot of chances but we didn’t score.
“We hope that next time, even with fewer opportunities, we
will score.
“We simply have to improve our finishing,” he said.
The Super Eagles will face hosts Côte d’Ivoire, for their
second game.
The match scheduled for Thursday at the Stade Olympique
Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe at 5 p.m. will be decisive for the Super Eagles,
who have almost no room for error.
Nigeria are making their 20th appearance at the CAF Africa
Cup of Nations.
They have won the tournament on three occasions (1980, 1994,
2013) and reached the semi-finals in 14 of their last 17 AFCON participations.
Nigeria were beaten finalists the last time the CAF Africa
Cup of Nations was held in Côte d’Ivoire, they lost 3-1 against Cameroon in
1984.
This is Equatorial Guinea’s fourth CAF Africa Cup of Nations
appearance, but it’s only the second time they have qualified as non-hosts.
They have so far always reached the knockout stages:
quarter-finalists in 2012 and 2021, 4th place in 2015. NAN