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Tag: Jose Peseiro

  • Côte d’Ivoire vs Nigeria: Peseiro sweating over Osimhen, Yusuf

    Côte d’Ivoire vs Nigeria: Peseiro sweating over Osimhen, Yusuf

    Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Jose Peseiro, says Victor Osimhen is likely to play against host Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday in Abidjan.

    Peseiro, who made this known in an interview on Tuesday in Abidjan, said the Napoli FC of Italy striker complained when he arrived for training on Monday.

    He, however, expressed hope that the African footballer of the year would be fit to face Côte d’Ivoire.

    The Portuguese said he wasn’t sure if Alhassan Yusuf would be available as he had gone for a scan and the result was being awaited.

    “When he told me, I prefered him doing nothing, it’s prevention, only that. But for Yusuf he left the match injured.

    “He is doing a scan now, no reality yet of what is happening to him, I hope nothing bad happened,” Peseiro said.

    Recall the Super Eagles came from a goal down on Sunday to force Equatorial Guinea to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the competition.

    The Super Eagles will have OC Nice FC of France striker, Terem Moffi, Leicester City of England playmaker, Kelechi Iheanacho to choose from when the three-time African champion face the host, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, on Thursday.

  • AFCON 2023: How we can defeat Côte d’Ivoire – Super Eagles coach, Peseiro

    AFCON 2023: How we can defeat Côte d’Ivoire – Super Eagles coach, Peseiro

    Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has emphasised the need for the team to convert their chances in the second match against hosts Côte d’Ivoire at the ongoing 2023 AFCON.

    Peseiro, who said this in an interview on Tuesday in Abidjan, ahead of the crucial clash on Thursday against the Ivorians, rued the missed chances against Equatorial Guinea in their opening match.

    The Super Eagles coach assured of a more composed outing against the Ivorians, who currently top the group.

    “Our team created a lot of chances in our last game, but we scored only one goal.

    “If you want to win AFCON, you must be ready to face tough oppositions. So, we are ready, Cote d’Ivoire is a good team and one of the favourites.

    “If we create the same opportunities and take our chances, then we have a better chance of winning against Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.

    The gaffer said the technical crew was working round the clock to perfect strategies and ensure victory in the make or mar match.

    He, however, appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the team and not engage in criticism that could dampen the morale of the players.

    The team struggled to convert the numerous chances created in their 1-1 draw against a resilient Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles deserve to win – Peseiro

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles deserve to win – Peseiro

    Jose Peseiro the coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria has said that his side deserved a win in the game against Equatorial Guinea.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in their opening fixture at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday afternoon.

    The West Africans were dominant in the game but were wasteful in front of goal.

    Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen and Zaidu Sanusi missed good chances in the game to put the Eagles ahead and secure maximum points for the team.

    “I’m not happy with the draw. I’m sad, and my players are sad. We are all sad because we deserved to beat our opponent,” the Portuguese told a press conference.

    “It’s normal to miss chances in football. I hope next time we’ll create chances and score more goals. We played well and pushed our opponent back. I just hope we can maintain this same attitude in our subsequent games.”

    Nigeria’s next game at the AFCON 2023 finals is against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

  • Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea: Peseiro releases Super Eagles starting XI

    Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea: Peseiro releases Super Eagles starting XI

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has released his starting lineup for the clash with Equatorial Guinea in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Nigeria face the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in the first match of the Super Eagles in the ongoing AFCON 2023.

    Star Striker Victor Osimhen will lead the attack for the Super Eagles to be flanked by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon in a three-man attack.

    Francis Uzoho was dropped in the goalkeeping department with Stanley Nwabali starting between the sticks.

    Central defender Troost Ekong will captain the team with Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina joining him in defence.

    Alhassan Yusuf starts in midfield along with Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi.

    Super Eagles squad against Equatorial Guinea

    • STANLEY NWABALI
    • OLA AINA
    • TROOST EKONG (C)
    • SEMI AJAYI
    • ZAIDU SANUSI
    • FRANK ONYEKA
    • ALHASSAN YUSUF
    • ALEX IWOBI
    • ADEMOLA LOOKMAN
    • MOSES SIMON
    • VICTOR OSIMHEN

    TNG reports the encounter starts at 3 pm Nigerian time at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, Abidjan.

  • AFCON 2023: Coach Peseiro laments injury woes in Super Eagles camp

    AFCON 2023: Coach Peseiro laments injury woes in Super Eagles camp

    Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has said it is unfortunate that a couple of players picked up injuries at the more crucial stage of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Peseiro said this on Saturday in Abidjan at the team’s news conference ahead of the country’s first game of the competition on Sunday.

    At the news conference, Peseiro confirmed the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu for the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

    Iheanacho has been doubtful for the 2023 AFCON. Iheanacho along with Sadiq Umar and Victor Boniface are all out of the first game of the Super Eagles.

    Umar and Boniface were replaced by the duo of Paul Onuachu and Terem Moffi due to injury.

    Terem Moffi is expected to arrive in Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday with the opening ceremony of the AFCON 2023 set for later today.

    During the team’s training session on Friday, Osimhen was kept aside from all physical contact; a precautionary move as the only fit striker in the team.

    He was also instructed to avoid going into any tackle or aggressive contact in the team’s remaining training sessions ahead of the game.

    Team Captain, Ahmed Musa, was deployed to the role of a backup striker.

    Initially picked to play in his natural role as a winger, Musa is now expected to go into the first game as the deputy striker in the absence of Moffi, Iheanacho and Onuachu.

    With unity of purpose, Nigeria will win 2023 AFCON – Awoniyi

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles of Nigeria and Nottingham Forest of England striker, Taiwo Awoniyi has said with unity of purpose on the pitch, the Super Eagles can win the 2023 AFCON.

    Awoniyi said this in a telephone interview from his base in England on Saturday. He stressed the Super Eagles possessed the needed qualities to win the biggest football show piece in Africa.

    “If we play as a unit, I don’t see any nation at this AFCON that can stop us.

    “With God on our side and the quality of players in this present Super Eagles, we will do it again,” Awoniyi said.

    Awoniyi said he was disappointed not to be part of the tournament but had no reason to question God because he believed everything happened for good.

    He said it was a tournament that every player would like to participate in at one point or the other in their career.

    Awoniyi was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury he picked up on club duty.

  • AFCON 2023: Peseiro tweaks formation ahead of Equatorial Guinea clash

    AFCON 2023: Peseiro tweaks formation ahead of Equatorial Guinea clash

    Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, has tinkered with the team’s formation ahead of their first group game of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Equatorial Guinea.

    The changes to the team are necessary due to injuries picked up by some key players and the absence of Kelechi Iheanacho.

    Nigeria will play with only one fit striker in Victor Osimhen with Sadiq Umar, Victor Boniface and Kelechi Iheanacho all out of the first game.

    Umar and Boniface were replaced by the duo of Paul Onuachu and Terem Moffi due to injury.

    However, the late call-ups are unlikely to make it on time for the opening game.

    Also, Iheanacho who is recovering from a knock, is expected to fly in from UK today (Saturday;) a day to the game, which effectively rules him out of the match.

    During the team’s training session on Friday monitored by NAN, Osimhen was kept aside from all physical contact; a precautionary move as the only fit striker in the team.

    He was also instructed to avoid going into any tackle or aggressive contact in the team’s remaining training sessions ahead of the game.

    Team Captain, Ahmed Musa, was deployed to the role of a backup striker.

    Initially picked to play in his natural role as a winger, Musa is now expected to go into the first game as the deputy striker in the absence of Moffi, Iheanacho and Onuachu.

    The three-time African champions will begin their quest for a fourth title on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea, before facing Ivory Coast Jan. 18.

    Their last group game is against Guinea-Bissau on  Jan. 22.

  • Super Eagles coach opens up on Iheanacho’s fitness for AFCON 2023

    Super Eagles coach opens up on Iheanacho’s fitness for AFCON 2023

    Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, says Kelechi Iheanacho is now fully fit to play for the team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

    Paseiro said this in an interview with reporters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, late on Monday.

    “Kelechi will be with us in Cote d’Ivoire. He has finished his treatment at Leicester City,” he said.

    Peseiro was quoted as saying that Iheanacho would now join the rest of the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON after completing his treatment for a muscular injury.

    Iheanacho had been sidelined due to injury and was not part of the team’s week-long training camp in Abu Dhabi.

    The Leicester City striker stayed at his club to recover fully for the AFCON, which kicks off on Saturday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

    Super Eagles, the three-time champions, are expected to depart for Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday to participate in the 34th AFCON finals after attending a special dinner to be hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos on Tuesday (today).

    The month-long AFCON tournament begins on Feb. 11 with the Super Eagles expected to kickoff their campaign against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

    Super Eagles can win another AFCON title, football enthusiasts say

    Meanwhile, some football enthusiasts have expressed optimism over Super Eagles’ ability to win the 2023 AFCON scheduled to hold in Cote d’Ivoire between Jan. 13 and  Feb. 11.

    The enthusiasts, who spoke in Enugu on Tuesday, said that the Eagles would win the trophy if the players and the technical crew play their roles well.

    Coach Christian Oduma, Chairman, Enugu State Grassroots Managers Association, said that he expected the Super Eagles to win the continental trophy.

    Oduma urged the handlers of the team to choose players based on current performance, form and fitness.

    “They have all it takes to win the tournament; all they need is to play as a team.

    ‘”The technical crew also needs to be very tactical, this is not a time to choose players based on names or previous records,” he said

    Also speaking, the Chairman, Rangers Supporters Club, Dr Uchenna Orji, said that Nigerians were expecting an excellent outing from the national team at the tournament.

    “The players we are taking to AFCON cannot afford to get anything less than the trophy.

    “They are professionals playing for clubs abroad and getting results, so, we expect them to play well for Nigeria.

    “They are capable of winning the trophy for Nigeria because they have the capacity and motivation to do so,” he said.

    Orji urged the team to put national pride and interest above all other considerations while representing the country at the tournament.

    An Enugu-based footballer, Chidera Pius, said that the team had been well-motivated and prepared for the competition.

    “So we expect nothing but excellent results, they should not underrate any team. They should play with focus and commitment,” he said.

    The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

    Nigeria won the nations cup in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

  • 2023 AFCON: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro, NFF clash over final squad list

    2023 AFCON: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro, NFF clash over final squad list

    There is palpable tension brewing between the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and the head coach of the national team, Jose Peseiro, concerning the final squad list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    There are indications that  Peseiro has submitted a 25-man squad ahead of the tournament.

    But the NFF is putting pressure on the 63-year-old to make it 27 players.

    Peseiro, however, feels 25 players will be easier for him to manage instead of 27.

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has told qualifying nations that they can feature in the competition with 27 players against 25 that it used to be.

    But CAF also dropped a caveat that only 23 players will be registered on match days.

    Peseiro had clashed with the NFF over the original provisional list, submitting 40 players instead of 50 the federation wanted.

    The Super Eagles are due to depart to Dubai, UAE for a training camp before the competition kicks off.

    The 2023 AFCON will kickstart in January 11 in Cote D’Ivoire.

  • Player of the Year award: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro hails Victor Osimhen

    Player of the Year award: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro hails Victor Osimhen

    Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has hailed Victor Osimhen following his victorious outing at the 2023 CAF Awards in Marrakesh, Morocco on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Super Eagles forward, Osimhen and Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, were crowned the 2023 CAF African Player of the Year in a keenly contested award.

    While Osimhen bagged the men’s award, Oshoala won the women’s title at an event held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday.

    “A big salute to Victor Osimhen for winning CAF Player of the Year and being named in the CAF team of the year.

    “His exceptional skill, commitment, and top-notch professionalism mark him as one of the world’s best. Truly deserved for an extraordinary talent.

    “Applause to the Super Falcons for winning Team of the Year! Congrats to Asisat Oshoala, Alozie and Ohale Osinachi for making the Women’s XI and Nnadozie Chiamaka for Goalkeeper of the Year.

    “Proud of our Nigerian stars shining on the global stage,” Peseiro stated.

    Osimhen, who plies his trade with Napoli FC of Italy won the coveted prize after Nwankwo Kanu who won it in 1999.

    Osimhen beat Liverpool and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and PSG and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi to win the crown.

    The Super Eagles striker had an excellent football season in 2022 as he helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time after over 30 years.

    He had also emerged as the Serie A Player of the season having scored 26 league goals and 31 in all competitions.

    For 29-year-old Oshoala, this is her sixth time of winning the award, having won it in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

    Super Falcon’s Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie also won the women’s goalkeeper of the year prize, while the team was named the best women’s national team in Africa.

    Also, Super Falcons players Michelle Alozie and Ohale Osinachi made the CAF women’s best XI.

  • 2023 AFCON: Super Eagles will soar high in Côte d’Ivoire – Peseiro

    2023 AFCON: Super Eagles will soar high in Côte d’Ivoire – Peseiro

    Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, who has been criticised lately for underperformance, has pledged to ensure improvement in the team and steer the national team to greatness in Côte d’Ivoire.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Peseiro made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja at a meeting with the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Enoh had summoned the meeting to deliberate on strategic plans and preparations for a successful outing of the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire.

    The Portuguese tactician, however, underscored the need for a robust preparation, while assuring that the technical crew will work with the players to sort out grey areas in the team.

    At the meeting, Enoh expressed concern about the Super Eagles’ form, especially with the sluggish start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Recall the Eagles were forced by both lowly-rated Lesotho and Zimbabwe to uninspiring draws in November.

    The Minister stressed that Nigerians are passionate about the round leather game and are thirsty to win the 2023 AFCON again, after more than 10 years of waiting.

    “Our country is so passionate about football, such that amidst all other sports, football is about the only sport that has an entry in the nation’s national budget.

    “That is how important football is, because whatever happens to it happens to us as a country.

    “After 10 years, the country is thirsty to win the AFCON. It will matter a great deal to the Nigerian people, and to the Government of President Bola Tinubu.

    “It is important to not just leave the task to the NFF alone, but the Government is also interested in being able to tell the Nigerian people what is being done in that regard,” Enoh said.

    He reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering support for Nigerian football, and emphasised the significance of meticulous planning and cohesive strategies to propel the national team to victory at the AFCON

    Enoh said that plans are underway to settle outstanding issues with the coach and assured him of an enabling environment to help the team thrive.

    According to him, AFCON represents a pivotal opportunity for the national team to showcase its strength and resilience on the continental stage.

    Earlier, NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau assured Nigerians that there is no need to panic, as all hands are on deck, working round the clock to ensure the Eagles soar high at the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He said that the NFF was committed to ensuring that the Super Eagles perform well at the tournament.