Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has attributed Nigeria's impressive win against the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) hosts Ivory Coast to a perfectly executed strategic plan.
Super Eagles upset AFCON 2024 hosts
Jose Peseiro's side went into Thursday's game as the underdogs. The Super Eagles were held 1-1 by Equatorial Guinea in the opening group game of the tournament, officially known as AFCON 2023. They had also arrived in Ivory Coast on the back of uninspiring results, finding a win hard to come by.
However, Peseiro and his players pulled all stops—including an unprecedented tactical switch which proved to be a masterstroke—to stifle a ravaging Ivory Coast side and secure the all-important win, courtesy of William Troost-Ekong's goal from the spot.
Referencing all that went into the perfect execution of his strategic plan, Peseiro took to Twitter, saying: “Yesterday we won an excellent match against Côted'Ivoire, supported by a strategic plan that was impeccably executed, by the quality, intelligence, determination and mutual help of our boys.
“It's up to us to keep our focus on training, rest and nutrition in order to beat Guinea Bissau.”
Jose Peseiro charges Super Eagles
In an interview with CAF Online, the Portuguese gaffer charged his players to be brave in their upcoming game against Guinea-Bissau.
“For the next match we have to control the game, try to be less timid and not give possession to the opponent, I told my players not to savour the victory. We have four days left before the next match. From day one I told them: ‘you must win the AFCON’,” Peseiro said.
Nigeria will hope to secure a win against the whooping boys of Group A to better their chances of finishing atop the group.
