Jose Peseiro, coach of the Super Eagles, said his team exhibited superior performance compared to Equatorial Guinea’s opponent, with hard luck being the determining factor.
Peseiro revealed this insight while responding to Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea during the current Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Going beyond the somewhat unsatisfying result, Peseiro conveyed his satisfaction with the display of his players.
“We hoped to win this match, and we did everything to win.
He, however, expressed disappointment in his team’s inability to convert their chances at goal.
“I am not happy. I deserved to win; this draw doesn’t suit us.
“Our team created a lot of chances, but we didn’t score.
“We hope that we will score next time, even with fewer opportunities.
“We simply have to improve our finishing,” he said.
Read also: AFCON: Peseiro Reiterates Confidence In Super Eagles Lineup
Thursday’s match at 5 p.m. in the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, Ebimpe, is poised to be a decisive moment for the Super Eagles, who operate under tight constraints with little room for error.
The Super Eagles are set to engage hosts Côte d’Ivoire in their second game, as reported by Africa Today News, New York.
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations sees Nigeria making its 20th appearance in the tournament.
Celebrating victories in 1980, 1994, and 2013, Nigeria’s AFCON journey reflects remarkable consistency with 14 semi-final appearances in their last 17 participations.
The last time the CAF Africa Cup of Nations took place in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria found themselves as runners-up, experiencing a 3-1 loss to Cameroon in the 1984 final.
This marks Equatorial Guinea’s fourth presence at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, but only the second time they have qualified without being the host nation.
Their consistent performance has seen Equatorial Guinea reach the knockout stages in every appearance, securing quarterfinal berths in 2012 and 2021, and achieving a notable 4th place finish in 2015.