Super Eagles of Nigeria’s Coach, Jose Peseiro, has said that his team was keeping the goals for the next round of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Portuguese said this on Monday in Abidjan during his post-match news conference after a scrappy 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau in the last group A match.
The Super Eagles coach said he was happy with the 1-0 win while congratulating Equatorial Guinea for topping the table.
He said his team wasted many scoring chances but claimed that they were keeping the goals for the next stage of the competition.
Peseiro explained that he was not afraid, or even care, about Nigeria’s next opponent in the round of 16 as he was focused on every game.
“Today, we played very good football but we missed scoring chances which is not good for us.
“Our striker, Victor Osimhen, was not at his best but I’m happy we are through to the next stage.
“I want to congratulate Equatorial Guinea for leading the group with seven points after scoring many goals. I also congratulate my team for making it to the next round.
“Today’s match was a tough one; we created four opportunities but we couldn’t convert them. But I’m still happy we progressed to the next stage.
“I believe we kept our goals for the next round; we will definitely work on our finishing ahead of our next match.
“For the next match, if you score goals you proceed to the next round,” he said.
Meanwhile, Guinea Bissau handler Baciro Candé has said that they would continue to learn after their defeat against Nigeria.
“We will continue to learn as we played good football today. This tournament is full of surprises for all of us. This is a great competition with great learning opportunities and I believe we shall do better next time.
“Our first match was different from the second match and today’s match was different from our last match. I think our players should be congratulated and should be praised for their commitment and willingness to fight.
“In the matches we played, we showed we have a brilliant future; in three to four years, our team will be more impactful,” he said.
Super Eagles’ goal scoring lethargy should not worry Nigerians – Owolabi
Meanwhile, former Green Eagles forward Felix Owolabi says the Super Eagles’ failure to score many goals at the ongoing AFCON is not as important as getting wins.
Owolabi, while reflecting on the Super Eagles’ qualification for the knockout stage of the competition, disclosed winning matches was very important.
Recall the Super Eagles on Monday qualified for the ongoing 2023 AFCON’s next round after beating the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
They could only secure the match’s maximum three points, which were necessary for a smooth passage to the knockout stage, courtesy an own goal by Djurtus’ defender Opa Sangante.
He diverted the ball into his own net in a bid to stop an unmarked Victor Osimhen after 36 minutes of play.
However, Owolabi who played for both Nigeria and the former IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan stilk commended the Super Eagles for a brave fight to qualify for the next round.
“In a game of 90 minutes, what people are expecting is the outcome, with the question ‘who won?’ This is because the side with the highest number of goals will be credited as the winners.
“If for any reason an opposing side scored an own goal, it is because of pressure and in the match, even if there was no own goal, we had players like Osimhen and others who could have scored.
“The own goal is counted in our favour, not minding who scored. What is important is who is the winner. But it is true that we are short of goal scoring abilities,” he said.
Owolabi however acknowledged that the Eagles qualified from the group stage as a result of hard work and the fact they mounted pressure on their opponents.
“It could have been either way,” he said.
Owolabi who had 35 international appearances for the Nigerian senior national team also added that he was happy with the progression of the team at the ongoing AFCON.
“What is important to me is that I am happy about what is going on in the team, that they are gradually getting their steps right. It is true that they did not start well.
“So far, they scored a goal in their first match which they drew. But then, they beat hosts Cote d’Ivoire which is a triumphant victory through a penalty kick. Now have seven points, which is a good record.
“For me as a former footballer, an administrator and a coach, the team is trying to pick up gradually.
“Because, come to think of it. What would it have been if we had been scoring, but had been losing our games and failed to qualify?
“The level of preparedness of the team was high, and there is nothing bad in advising the team to improve on the goal scoring abilities.
“We need more goals however, because they will determine how far we will go,” he stated.
