Jose Peseiro said things have been difficult without two players for Nigeria and the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2023.
Nigeria's head coach, Jose Peseiro, has shed light on the notable void left in the Super Eagles' lineup at the ongoing AFCON 2023 tournament.
Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Peseiro believes the absence of two pivotal players, Kelechi Iheanacho and Joe Aribo, has cast a shadow over the squad ahead of the AFCON 2023 semifinal showdown.
16:55 - 05.02.2024
Nigeria vs South Africa: Super Eagles boss Peseiro urges Iwobi, others to 'step up' ahead semis
Jose Peseiro wants his Super Eagles stars led by Alex Iwobi to creative more scoring chances as they face South Africa at the AFCON 2023 semifinals and has.
Peseiro on Super Eagles
Iheanacho, the prolific Leicester City striker, and Aribo, the dynamic midfielder, have been instrumental in the Super Eagles' recent successes.
However, both players have struggled to break into the Super Eagles team at the ongoing AFCON, with the Leicester City man yet to taste a minute of action in Cote d’Ivoire while his compatriot, Aribo, has made three appearances.
Their absence has created a palpable sense of longing within the team, as Peseiro openly acknowledged the significant impact both players have on the squad's dynamics having watched his Eagles struggle to score goals.
Speaking at a press conference, according to a Supersport report, Peseiro said, "We're missing some key creators like (Kelechi) Iheanacho and (Joe) Aribo, so it's been hard.”
“But others must now step up," the Portuguese manager added.
The coach's statement underscores the challenging circumstances the Super Eagles find themselves in as they navigate through the crucial stages of the tournament.
Peseiro, however, remains optimistic, emphasising the need for the supporting cast to step up and showcase their abilities ahead of the important semifinal battle against South Africa on Wednesday.
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