AFCON 2023: We lost to Guinea because we tried a new system — Peseiro

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has said the Super Eagles lost to Guinea because he used a new system that the players had never played in before. Speaking to NFF media after the loss, the Portuguese gaffer said he was happy with the 2-0 loss though he would have loved to win the game. Aguibou […]

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has said the Super Eagles lost to Guinea because he used a new system that the players had never played in before.

Speaking to NFF media after the loss, the Portuguese gaffer said he was happy with the 2-0 loss though he would have loved to win the game.

Aguibou Camara and Facinet Conte were the goalscorers for Guinea in the upset at the Bani Yas Stadium with Peseiro blaming the result on a change in tactical approach and personnel while also claiming to have been satisfied with the performance of the team.

“I’m happy with the team, I changed the team, I didn’t play all the players, I tried to manage in these two matches, we didn’t show our first eleven, I’m happy,” Peseiro said.

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He further added context to the result by saying, “I’m happy with the first half, second half not so good, 2-0 is too much for what the team did.”

“It is important to win of course, I prefer to win than lose but it’s not important because we tried to put a new system it’s the first time we played this way. Like I tell you in the first half we played very well, we put the other team in the back,” he said.

He wrapped up by hailing the efforts of the team, especially the debutants, “The second half was not good but not so bad also. I’m happy with the work the players did up till now. Good performance by some players, Yusuf it was his first time playing with us in the national team, Stanley also.”

He further said Kelechi Iheanacho is now fully fit to play for the team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

“Kelechi will be with us in Cote d’Ivoire. He has finished his treatment at Leicester City,” he said.

Peseiro was quoted as saying that Iheanacho would now join the rest of the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON after completing his treatment for a muscular injury.

Super Eagles, the three-time champions, are expected to depart for Cote d’Ivoire today to participate in the 34th AFCON finals after attending a special dinner to be hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos yesterday.