Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, is pleading for more time to build a formidable senior national team. The Portuguese, who said the ingredients for a successful team are available in the current Nigerian squad, believes he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles into a worldclass side.
Speaking after Monday’s Cote d’Ivoire 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea Bissau in Bissau, which Nigeria won 1-0, Peseiro said circumstances beyond the team’s control contributed to the poor shows in the two-legged tie.
He said, “We played much better than we did in the first leg in Abuja, because the Bissau pitch is much better than the MKO Abiola Stadium. We lost many scoring chances in the two games because the players are still trying to blend. But we had chances to have beaten them 6-0 in Abuja and may be 5-0 in the second leg.” He expressed satisfaction with the over all performance of his players, adding that all they need is more time to blend into a formidable side.
“We created clear opportunities and controlled the game, but we could not get our finishing right. We have one of the best strikers in Europe and some of the top stars in their clubs; so, I believe that with time, we will start playing to Nigerians’ expectations.”
He acknowledged that Nigerians were becoming impatient with the Super Eagles because of their recent poor outings, adding, however, that the emerging national team would satisfy fans’ aspirations.
“I know Nigerians like good football, which was why the last coach was sacked. I am assuring the fans that things will soon change. We will soon start playing good football,” he said.