The head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has expressed his team’s preparedness for a challenging 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign. The three-time African champions are set to compete in Group A against the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, as well as Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
Peseiro emphasized that to win the competition, the Super Eagles must be ready to face formidable teams on the continent. He acknowledged the strength of their group opponents, stating, “If we want to win the AFCON, we must be prepared to face any team. Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau are strong teams.”
The coach conveyed this sentiment to reporters following the Super Eagles’ friendly match against Saudi Arabia in Portimao, Portugal, on Friday night. Peseiro acknowledged the challenges of a tournament where anything can happen and stressed the importance of focus in a short competition like the AFCON.
He added, “Our goal is to win our group and advance to the next phase. However, we must first compete against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. We are determined to qualify for the next World Cup.”
The Super Eagles will commence their 2023 AFCON campaign with a match against Equatorial Guinea at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium in Ebimpe on January 14, 2024.