Super Eagles Need Improvement To Win AFCON, Says Peseiro

After losing to Portugal on Thursday, Nigerian coach Jose Peseiro stated that the Super Eagles must improve if they are to realize their dream of winning the Afcon.

In a friendly match played in Lisbon on Thursday night, the Super Eagles were defeated 4-0 by the A Selecao.

Despite later improvements, the African team was unable to stop Bruno Fernandes from completing a hat trick while also allowing Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario to score once each.

Pesseiro has acknowledged that his team would need to improve if they want to have a chance of winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Emmanuel Dennis missed a penalty for the West African team.

“Losing 4-0 was too much, we didn’t start well in the first half, we didn’t show good organisation and we didn’t pressure the opponent. It’s true the opponent has too much quality but like I said the first half was not good but the second half was much better,” Peseiro told NFF TV.

“I believe in the second half we showed we can do better, we missed a penalty and conceded two more goals. We must improve because we want to win the next Afcon.”

Peseiro further defended Nottingham Forest attacker Dennis after missing from 12-yards.

READ ALSO:  Best Betting Tips, Odd, Group Stage Preview For 2022 Qatar World Cup

“We need to defend our players. Which player has not missed a penalty before? Any player can miss a penalty so Emmanuel Dennis has my support.”

With three losses in a row and just one goal scored over that span, Nigeria has now let up eight goals.

Pesseiro has till the upcoming Afcon qualifiers in March to address some of the issues after identifying the team’s areas of weakness.

Despite going undefeated in group stage, Tunisia eliminated the squad from the 2021 Afcon in the Round of 16.

As of right now in the 2023 qualifiers, Nigeria is in first place in Group A with two victories and a perfect record.

The Super Eagles’ subsequent match, set for March 20, 2023, will meet Guinea Bissau.

Portugal vs Nigeria action pictures: