Coach Jose Peseiro has expressed his belief in Nigeria’s potential to secure a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, acknowledging the challenge they will face in the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria’s last continental triumph dates back to 10 years ago in South Africa, and Peseiro is determined to lead the team to success.
In an interview with NFF TV, he acknowledged the tough competition within their group, particularly emphasizing the challenge posed by Ivory Coast, who will be playing at home.
Peseiro highlighted the strength of their opponents, including Equatorial Guinea, which reached the quarterfinals in the last AFCON, and Guinea Bissau, who secured a victory against Nigeria in the qualifiers.
“We will fight to win the Africa Cup even though it won’t be easy,” Peseiro he said in an interview with NFF TV.
“Our group is not easy because we are up against the Ivory Coast, who have a good squad and are playing at home.
“Equatorial Guinea reached the quarterfinal at the last Afcon, better than Nigeria, while Guinea Bissau beat us at home (in the qualifiers).”
Despite the formidable competition, Peseiro expressed the team’s commitment to giving their best in training and matches. He mentioned the rigorous process of selecting the final squad, monitoring over 70 players before settling on the 25-man roster.
“We have to be at our best in our training and in our matches.”
“It was not easy to choose the 25 players,” he said.
The Nigerian squad is set to gather in Abu Dhabi for a training camp before heading to Ivory Coast.
Their AFCON campaign kicks off on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea in Abidjan.
