AFCON

Jose Peseiro believes only God can tell if Super Eagles will defeat Cote d’Ivoire

Published

4 months ago

January 15, 2024

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has expressed a deep concern about Nigeria’s upcoming match against the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) host, Ivory Coast, admitting that only divine intervention can help his team.

The Portuguese coach is feeling the pressure after Nigeria dropped two points in their previous match, a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

The Super Eagles are now facing a daunting challenge against the star-studded Ivory Coast team in a crucial Group A encounter later this week.

Nigeria’s campaign in the 2023 AFCON got off to a shaky start when they were held to a draw by Equatorial Guinea.

The National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea took the lead with Iban Salvador’s goal in the 36th minute.

However, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen combined effectively to score the equalizer, securing a draw for Nigeria against their less-fancied opponents.

Following the match, a somber Jose Peseiro, now adopting a spiritual outlook, conveyed to the media that the fate of the Super Eagles now rests in the hands of a higher power.

“I am sad, the players are also sad, but God gives, and God takes,” Peseiro said per a report from Soccernet. “Next game, God could give us,” he added.

Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire are set to reignite their rivalry in a crucial showdown on Thursday.

The Elephants aim to be the first team to secure a spot in the knockout stage following their victory over Guinea-Bissau. Meanwhile, Peseiro’s Super Eagles seek to reignite their AFCON2023 campaign with a crucial win against the host team.

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AFCON

NFF appoints Finidi George new Super Eagles head coach

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

Williams

NFF appoints Finidi George new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Finidi George as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, beating Emmanuel Amuneke to the job.

George, a former international player, served as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro before taking over in an interim capacity for two friendly matches in Morocco last month.

George’s immediate task will be to lead the Super Eagles in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic.

These matches, to be held in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, are must-win encounters as Nigeria currently sits in third place in Group C of the African campaign, behind Rwanda and South Africa.

AFCON

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria soar to 28th ahead Ivory Coast after AFCON silver win

Published

3 months ago

February 15, 2024

Williams

Nigeria has made a significant jump in the latest FIFA Ranking, now sitting ahead of AFCON champions Cote d’Ivoire and Erling Haaland’s Norway.

After their impressive showing at the AFCON 2023 tournament, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed 14 places in the FIFA World Ranking. They are now ranked 28th in the world and the third-best team in Africa.

Despite their heartbreaking 2-1 loss to host nation Cote d’Ivoire in the final, Nigeria’s performance earned them plenty of praise. Led by coach Jose Peseiro, the young Nigerian side impressed throughout the tournament, narrowly missing out on a fourth AFCON title.

This move from 42nd to 28th is the highest climb for the Super Eagles in 11 years, matching their position in May 2013. They now sit behind Morocco, who moved up one spot to 12th, and Senegal, who are ranked 17th after moving up three places.

AFCON

Nigeria 1-2 Cote D’ivoire: Haller hits winner as Ivory Coast beat Super Eagles to take AFCON title

Published

3 months ago

February 11, 2024

Williams

Sebastien Haller scored a dramatic late winner as Ivory Coast fought back to beat Nigeria 2-1 in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, completing a remarkable turnaround to claim their third continental title.

Nigeria initially looked set to repeat their group stage victory over Ivory Coast with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of captain William Troost-Ekong’s header late in the first half. However, Franck Kessie equalized just after the hour mark, and Haller scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, sparking wild celebrations among the Ivory Coast fans.

This victory adds to Ivory Coast’s titles in 1992 and 2015 and brings them level with Nigeria on three Cup of Nations triumphs overall, joining Egypt, Cameroon, and Ghana as the most successful teams in the tournament’s history. Nigeria missed the chance to match Ghana’s four victories.

Despite being led by reigning African player of the year Victor Osimhen, Nigeria was considered the strongest team in the competition. However, Ivory Coast’s determination proved too much, making them the first host country to win the AFCON since 2006.

Former captain Didier Drogba, who led the Ivory Coast team that lost to Egypt in the 2006 final, witnessed this stunning victory as a spectator.