Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has given a lowdown on what’s expected of the team if they are to mount a serious challenge and win the 2024 African Cup of Nations.
Peseiro said that he knew what to do for Nigeria to win the flagship continental showpiece the country won last year in South Africa.
Speaking on how the Super Eagles can clinch the title, which kicks off in January in Ivory Coast, Peseiro said the first target for the team is to qualify from the group stage.
Peseiro, whose contract is tied to the team’s performance in the 2023 AFCON, disclosed that he almost stepped down as the team’s gaffer, but for the persuasion of the players who appealed to him to stay on with the team because of the belief that together they could win the tournament.
Speaking on how the Super Eagles can clinch the title, which kicks off in January in Ivory Coast, Peseiro said the first target for the team is to qualify from the group stage.
One of the key elements in Peseiro’s strategy revolves around tactical mastery. The modern game demands versatility and adaptability, and Peseiro believes that a team that can seamlessly transition between different tactical setups holds a distinct advantage.
Peseiro’s coaching philosophy often involves a flexible approach, allowing the team to adjust its style of play based on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. This adaptability is crucial in tournament football, where each match presents a unique challenge. The Super Eagles must be prepared to switch gears from a possession-based game to a counter-attacking style, depending on the circumstances.
In Peseiro’s vision, success in AFCON 2024 hinges significantly on the players’ form and fitness. A well-conditioned and injury-free squad is a prerequisite for a deep tournament run. Peseiro emphasizes the need for a comprehensive fitness program that not only ensures peak performance during matches but also aids in quick recovery between games.
The coaching staff will play a pivotal role in monitoring and managing the players’ physical condition throughout the tournament. Peseiro’s experience tells him that a team’s depth and the ability to rotate players without compromising quality can be a decisive factor in the latter stages of a competition.
The Super Eagles are in Group A, alongside Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the host country, Ivory Coast. “It starts with getting out of the group. That is the first step but if we can qualify as group leaders that will be an added advantage,” Peseiro said.
The second step, according to the coach, is for the defenders to raise their game. “We have to really defend well when we get out of the stage group. That is a must because in the knock out round, defending is very critical and key to your progress.”
He was confident the Super Eagles forward line with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Kelechi Iheanacho among others would score goals. “The attack we know can score goals. Even the defenders can join the attack and score but you have to defend it.”
He continued, “when you have your defence not conceding goals, the confidence in the team flows even to the attack and the result is always good for the team particularly for a tournament you want to win.”
