AFCON 2023: Super Eagles coach Peseiro names two teams as favourites

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has named Egypt and Nigeria among the favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt are the most successful nation at the AFCON, with the Pharaohs boasting an incredible seven titles while reaching the tournament final a record ten times.

The North African giants were the beaten finalists at the 2021 AFCON, where Senegal defeated them to lift their first trophy.

With Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah again leading the squad, the Egyptians will be another force to reckon with in Ivory Coast, and coach Peseiro is convinced the Pharaohs are the finest on the continent.

In a chat with KORAPLUS, Peseiro said, “There are many strong teams that are candidates to win the AFCON, such as the Egyptian national team, which is the best in the continent of Africa, and I believe that it is a candidate to win the current version of the AFCON.”

Nigeria, with coach Peseiro in charge, are also aiming for a fourth AFCON title in Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles have not touched the trophy since the late Stephen Keshi led the team to glory a little over ten years ago.

Peseiro, upon his appointment last year, proclaimed his desire to lead the Eagles to another AFCON triumph.

And the former Sporting Lisbon manager, while admitting that several teams can win the tournament, insists his ambition has not changed.

“My experience with the Nigerian national team is very good. Being part of African and Nigerian football is an interesting thing, and I cannot deny that,” Peseiro added.

“I told everyone that I wanted to win the Africa Cup of Nations from the first moment I signed the contract with the Nigerian national team, and we study our opponents well in order to win, and this is what we seek to achieve.

“I expect strong and difficult competition in the current edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, and the teams that participate are all distinguished and want to win the title.”

Peseiro has named a strong 25-man squad for Nigeria’s challenge at the AFCON.

The Super Eagles look strongest in attack, with Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface appearing set to carry the team’s goalscoring burden.