Tremendous Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has assured Nigerians that his staff will combat to win the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria will face hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Group A together with Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.
Peseiro who introduced his 25-man squad for the event which is able to kick off on January 13 to February 11, admitted that the Eagles are in a troublesome group as they’re drawn in opposition to Ivory Coast.
“The Eagles’ group isn’t simple as a result of hosts Ivory Coast is among the favourites for the event as a result of their good squad and that they’re taking part in at dwelling,” the Portuguese coach advised Nigeria Soccer Federation TV.
“Equatorial Guinea did higher than Nigeria on the final AFCON, they obtained to the quarter-finals and Guinea-Bissau beat us at dwelling within the qualifiers so it’s going to be a troublesome event, a troublesome job for us as a result of we have to put in focus each time, each minute and each second within the match.”
The coach additionally disclosed that the Nigerian Soccer Federation determined to take only a 25-man squad to the event as in opposition to the initially reported 27 gamers.
“The NFF determined that we announce a squad of 25 for the event and I agreed as a result of we’ve to handle the squad coaching,” Peseiro continued.
“We first got here up with the 41 gamers then the gamers who made the ultimate listing have been with us they usually have proven good efficiency.
“There are gamers who confirmed good efficiency of their golf equipment however didn’t do effectively within the nationwide staff. Additionally, there are gamers who do effectively for the nationwide staff and didn’t do effectively of their golf equipment.
“We checked out present type, if they’re taking part in effectively and confirmed good situation.
Talking on why Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili was named within the squad regardless of not been with the staff since he took cost, he stated: “I obtained details about him and I attempted to watch him within the video however I then requested that I’m going to South Africa to talk with him, his coach (at Chippa United), spoke with different individuals,” he stated.
“I watched his trainings and I watched their match and after evaluating him for the 4 or 5 days we have been there we determined to place him on the listing as a result of we consider in him.
“He confirmed good qualities, good efficiency and now I’ve to attend and hope he reveals the identical capability and qualities within the Tremendous Eagles as a result of it’s totally different while you play within the nationwide staff and membership.“
The previous Actual Madrid assistant coach spoke in regards to the Eagles coaching camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates the place they’re anticipated to play Burkina Faso and Cape Verde in pre-tournament friendlies.
“We shall be in Abu Dhabi for six days the place we shall be concerned in our preparation, organisation, and concepts. On the similar time, we need to enhance our velocity, and introduce totally different dynamics as a result of this can be a particular event which wants most focus.”
The Eagles will begin the event with the primary match in opposition to Equatorial Guinea on January 1, earlier than additional clashes with host nation Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau.