AFCON Qualifier: Peseiro, Osimhen, others confident of Eagles victory

Ahead of their double-header Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier games against Guinea Bissau on Friday, March 24 and Monday, March 23, 2023, Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, says he has a good team, and that there is enough time to improve.

Speaking to our correspondent during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Peseiro noted that it was important for the team to be on a constant attack, adding that they had to ensure they had control of the game.

“What I can tell you is we have a good team; we have good players. You can improve a lot because you have enough time, which can be for improving our model, our offensive positions, defensive positions, and set pieces. We need to take care not to lose against big teams like Ecuador, Algeria, and Portugal. Of course, I want to win every time, I am not happy when I lose a match. But that match, I use to improve our team and to check against good teams. Our team must attack every time. I think if you want to reach the top in Africa, you need to try to control the game. Because if you want to reach the top, you cannot create one idea for the defender and the back and another for the attack.”

Meanwhile, Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, expressed happiness to be back in the country and to play for the team, adding that he hoped to be able to translate his success in the Serie A and score goals for the team as well.

“Hopefully, I can get a lot of goals for the team, as much as I can, when I get the opportunities. But then, even though I do not get this, I want the team to win, I want us to have these three points, because it is important for us in our campaign, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

On his part, Everton and Super Eagles Midfielder, Alex Iwobi, stated that although he would make no promises as to the performance of the team, he was certain that the team would give its best to ensure victory.

“We’re very confident that we have very good players. So, I won’t promise anything, but I know that we will give our 100 per cent to try and win this game, and we’ll do our best. We are preparing to make sure that we do everything we can. So, we are going into the game feeling confident. So, I trust my players, I trust my team and trust Nigeria that we’ll be able to get that result.”

The first leg of the qualifier clash is set for Friday, March 24, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja at 5 pm. Nigeria has only won one of its last five international matches, with the last being against Ghana in the CAF Total African Nations Championship Qualifiers, where Nigeria won 5 – 4 on penalties.

Guinea Bissau on the other hand has drawn two of its last matches against Gambia and Martinique, which were both friendly games.