Following Nigeria’s defeat against Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2023 final, head coach José Peseiro opened up about the match and his team’s performance, expressing both disappointment and pride in his players.
Peseiro acknowledged that his tactical approach, which had been successful throughout the tournament, failed to yield the desired results against Ivory Coast.
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Despite maintaining faith in their established system until they trailed 2-1, Peseiro ultimately decided to alter their strategy. However, defensive errors proved costly, contributing to Nigeria’s defeat.
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, Peseiro emphasized his pride in the resilience and effort displayed by his players throughout the tournament.
Despite facing setbacks and challenges, the team showcased determination and character, earning praise from their coach.
Peseiro said “When you have a system that you have been using and it has been working, you don’t want to change it. I indeed kept to this strategy until we were 2-1 down and then I decided to change it…
We conceded goals from some defensive errors and they had a drop in level, against the Ivorians. But I am proud of how my players have been in this tournament.”
Peseiro’s reflections highlight the complexities and uncertainties inherent in competitive sports, where even the best-laid plans can falter in the face of formidable opposition.
Nevertheless, his unwavering support for his players and acknowledgement of their efforts underline the unity and camaraderie within the Nigerian team, serving as a source of inspiration for future endeavours.
