AFCON

Jose Peseiro challenges Super Eagles’ squad players to fill creator void ahead of AFCON semi-final

By Asuquo

Posted on February 5, 2024

Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 semi-final clash against South Africa, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has urged Nigeria’s squad players to step up and fill the void left by absent key creators Kelechi Iheanacho and Joe Aribo.

Despite reaching the semifinals, Nigeria has faced challenges in scoring goals during the tournament in Ivory Coast. The team secured three victories with narrow 1-0 margins in five matches.

Now, as they face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who have also maintained clean sheets, Peseiro recognizes the need to address the offensive concerns.

In preparation for the crucial game, Peseiro emphasized the importance of players like Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze stepping up their creative efforts.

Acknowledging the absence of key creators, Peseiro stated, “We’re missing some key creators like (Kelechi) Iheanacho and (Joe) Aribo, so it’s been hard. But others must now step up.”

Reflecting on the team’s performance in the quarterfinal against Angola, where they secured a 1-0 victory, Peseiro expressed satisfaction but highlighted the desire for more offensive efficiency.

He noted, “Once again, we played without conceding and scored a goal, but I would have liked more. The team could have created more opportunities. We are a quality team, and I remain satisfied with my players, but I want us to be more efficient in attack.”

As Nigeria aims to secure a spot in the AFCON 2023 final, Peseiro’s call for increased efficiency and creativity underscores the importance of adapting the team’s strategy to overcome offensive challenges.