… as Iheanacho gets set to play at AFCON after injury scare
Coach Jose Peseiro is unbothered after Super Eagles friendly loss to Guinea on Monday ahead upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Eagles went toe to toe with the Syli Stars of Guinea in their last test game at the Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi, but lost 2-0 to the displeasure of Nigerian football lovers.
Goals by Aguibou Camara and Facinet Conte in either halves of the contest, nailed the Nigerian team, with the Guineans taking the win.
Although, Nigeria had a couple of chances to score, and even won a penalty which Moses Simon missed, they were unable to break down the backbone of their opponents.
Speaking to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) TV, Peseiro stated he is happy with the team’s performance regardless the result, though, they deserve more.
“We tested the new 3-4-3 system today. We had a very good first half. Of course, we were losing 1-0, but we deserved more,” Peseiro told NFF TV.
“We got a penalty and one or two clear chances. The second half was more balanced between the teams. When you play against teams with good speed and good counter-attacks, it is not easy; you lose the balance in midfield, and I changed to 4-3-3,” he added.
The Super Eagles’ head Coach further expressed, “They got three or four situations in the counter-attack. Even if they got the second goal, I’m very happy because I changed the team; I didn’t play all the players. I tried to manage the team, and I didn’t show the first eleven; I showed two first elevens. I am happy.”
Despite the outcome of the match, Eagles will be looking to change the tides and challenge for the highly valuable AFCON trophy when the showpiece begins on Saturday, January 13th.
Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho could play a major part in Nigeria’s bid for the Africa Cup of Nations title after an earlier scare of an injury.
There were doubts over the winger’s participation at the upcoming championship after he sustained an injury while at Leicester City.
Iheanacho got injured in Leicester’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town on Boxing Day with his club coach Enzo Maresca saying the player’s chances to be at the AFCON depends on the severity of the injury.
The statement gave Jose Peseiro and his coaching crew a scare that the 27-year-old may not feature at the event holding in Côte d’Ivoire.
However, speaking aftermath of Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to Guinea in a friendly in far away Dubai, the Portuguese tactician has revealed Iheanacho will take part at the continental mundial.
“Kelechi arrives in Côte d’Ivoire. He has finished the treatment now in Leicester City,” Peseiro said on NFT TV.
The latest development comes as big boost for the team after midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and forward Victor Boniface were ruled out due to injuries.
Nigeria will kick start her matches at the finals with an encounter against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14th.
