Nigeria vs Guinea was the Super Eagles' last warm-up match before they proceeded to Ivory Coast for the AFCON.
The team took off from Abu Dhabi for Lagos, where they will be guests of the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Much talk has been of the Nigeria vs Guinea match, where the Super Eagles lost 0-2, with many questioning the team's readiness for the tournament.
While many believe the Super Eagles are not ready and questioned how suitable the Portuguese coach was to lead the team, Peseiro has sounded deviant and believes the Nigeria vs Guinea game was not an accurate picture of what his team has to offer.
Nigeria vs Guinea: Peseiro confident in his side
The Super Eagles lost 0-2 to the Syli National of Guinea, but Peseiro believes his team did well.
According to the coach, he tested his new system, the 3-4-3, against Guinea.
“We had a very good first half. Of course, we were losing 1-0, but we deserved more,” Peseiro said.
Peseiro continued, “We had a penalty and two or three clear shots. I think in the first half, we deserved more than in the second half.”
Pre-AFCON 2023 friendly match…
FT Nigeria 0-2 Guinea
Do you still have faith in the Super Eagles and Jose Peseiro? #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023
Photo credit (Frame 1-3) via Fédération Guinéenne de Football-FGF @naija_superfans pic.twitter.com/Vou9TxEGXE
— Mumini Alao (@Mumini_Alao) January 8, 2024
Pesiero believes the Nigeria vs Guinea game was balanced. He claims playing against a team with speed and good counterattack could be arduous.
Peseiro also said that his team lost balance in the midfield, and he had to change to 4-3-3.
The Nigeria vs Guinea game saw Peseiro testing other players but agreed that despite the change in tactic, Guinea still had a couple of counterattack chances.
Despite the outcome of the game, the Portuguese manager remained bullish about the chances of the Super Eagles in Ivory Coast.
Don't judge my team with Guinea match – Peseiro
Peseiro remained unfazed by the outcome of the Nigeria vs Guinea game.
Despite Nigerians wanting a win, he said, “I prefer to win than to lose, but it is not important.”
He continued that the important thing was understanding the tactics they would execute in Ivory Coast and that his team was well on course to deliver glory to Nigeria.
He said the team made a few mistakes, but it was better to make mistakes now than at the tournament.
Peseiro also talked about who would be his first-choice goalkeeper at AFCON 2023.
During preparations for the tournament, all three goalkeepers have been in action, but Stanley Nwabali played all 90 minutes in the Nigeria vs Guinea game.
Pre-AFCON friendly.
Nigeria 🇳🇬 0-2 🇲🇱 Guinea .
Aguibou Camara (15)
Facinet Conte (65)If Super Eagles cannot beat Guinea, then who dem wan beat for AFCON? 😂 pic.twitter.com/umGQglr6Jf
— Ibitoye Shittu (@IbiShittu) January 8, 2024
Peseiro refused to let the cat out of the bag, claiming he would decide at the right time.
Following the comments by the Super Eagles coach, it is clear he already knows his first team but is keeping it close to his chest.
Peseiro also gave some updates on Kelechi Iheanacho. He said the Leicester City striker would join the team in Ivory Coast as he has finished his rehabilitation.
The Nigeria vs Guinea game was just an idea of what to expect in Ivory Coast, but Peseiro is bullish about the team's chances and claims to be happy with the team.
This article was most recently revised and updated 10 months ago