By Charles Biddeng
ABIDJAN, Jan. 19 – The head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles has warned that they should not be carried away after defeating hosts Ivory Coast in a group A match at the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
After kick starting the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, coach Jose Peseiro’s team rose to the occasion to stop hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 in a match played at the Alassane Quattara Stadium on Thursday. William Troost-Ekong converted a 55th minute penalty to ensure Nigeria picked maximum points.
Equatorial Guinea who had earlier stopped Guinea Bissau 4-2 lead the group with 4 points and a better goal difference that Nigeri who have the same number of points.
But Pessiro has said that although it was good to win and celebrate the win against the hosts, he warned his players not to get carried away as there are many other matches to come in the tournament.
The coach said that they have to plan well ahead of their last group match against Guinea Bissau. « I am happy that our strategy worked against Ivory Coast and now we must plan well for the next match, » he added.
“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, ” added Peseiro.
Nigeria will return to action on January 22nd against Guinea Bissau, the same day hosts Ivory Coast face a tricky battle against table leaders Equatorial Guinea.
