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Super Eagles' dreams of glory were dashed as they fell to a resilient Ivory Coast, losing 2-1 in a match that saw Nigeria relinquish their lead and ultimately, the championship.
Jose Peseiro, the man at the helm for the Super Eagles, did not hide his dismay at the unexpected downturn in his team's performance, especially given their previously solid displays throughout the tournament.
A Surprising Downfall
William Troost-Ekong had initially sparked hope with a first-half lead for the Eagles, but the joy was short-lived. The second half saw Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller turn the tide with goals that handed the hosts a memorable victory.
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It was a game where Nigeria, known for their impenetrable defence and lethal counter-attacks, found themselves outmanoeuvred and outplayed, trailing in ball possession, shots, and corners.
Peseiro's Disappointment
“I am sad, my players are sad, we wanted to win for the Nigeria people but we couldn’t win it,” Peseiro lamented after the match as reported by MikeThePundit on X.
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His confusion over the team's lacklustre performance was evident as he highlighted the uncharacteristic loss of possession that ultimately led to their downfall.
“I don’t know why my players weren’t comfortable today as we lost many balls. For that, the opponent will punish you.”
The future of Jose Peseiro with the Super Eagles hangs in the balance, with speculation about his job security swirling even before the tournament's final whistle.
After a challenging run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the AFCON 2023 was seen as a crucial litmus test for Peseiro's tenure.
Despite reaching the final, the manner of the loss to Ivory Coast has left more questions than answers about the direction under his leadership.
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