Jose Peseiro reiterates ambition for Nigeria

Jose Peseiro

SUPER EAGLES Jose Peseiro reiterates ambition for Nigeria

Joba Ogunwale 19:36 - 22.01.2023

The Portuguese tactician is aware of the challenge he faces as Nigeria’s coach but he is eager to prove himself.

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has reiterated his mission to make Nigeria African champions again. Peseiro was named Super Eagles coach last year after Austin Eguavoen was relieved of his duties. 

The Portuguese tactician came in following Nigeria’s disastrous World Cup playoff campaign, which saw them miss out on the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

Peseiro aiming for the AFCON

Peseiro was appointed to usher in a new era after the Super Eagles, with the former Braga manager tasked with the mission to lead Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title after their second-round exit in last year’s edition. 

Peseiro’s tenure has not started very well, with the Portuguese coach winning just two matches last year and losing all the friendly matches. 

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Nonetheless, the former Venezuela manager has said he is ready to lead Nigeria to their fourth African title, even though he is aware of the challenges. 

“Our ambitions when I signed the contract with Nigeria, the big goal and main goal is we want to win the next AFCON,” Peseiro told Mirror Football.

Peseiro wants to make Nigeria African champions again

“Of course, we know the power of the national teams who played in the World Cup, like Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco, who had a fantastic tournament. 

“But we know that the quality and capacity of the national teams that didn’t play in the World Cup like Egypt, Algeria and others.

“I think I’ve convinced myself when I watched our national team, I know which players can play for us and I have put it in my mind that we can win the next AFCON,” Peseiro continued. 

Peseiro still trying to get the best ouf of his players

However, Peseiro admits that for Nigeria to be African champions, they need to play better. The former Porto manager says he is still trying to instil his ideas, but he has seen a lot from the friendly games against Mexico and Portugal. 

“To do that, I’m trying to shape our players and join them in the right way to build a good and a good model to play at the high level. If you want to reach the top in Africa you need to create a top level,” Peseiro said. 

Peseiro says his Super Eagles are still a work in progress

“For that, I try to see the players, see everybody and improve our organisation, improve our facilities, improve our training, improve everything we can.

“We played against Mexico, against Portugal, against Algeria away, to check the possibility to play offensive football, high pressure, because that’s our way. I think we have the capacity and the players for that, but we need to check our development and the way we play,” he added. 

Peseiro will get a chance to see how far his team has come when the Super Eagles resume their AFCON qualifying campaign in March. 

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