Ahead of the double‑header Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea‑Bissau—scheduled for Friday, March 24, and Monday, March 23, 2023—Super Eagles head coach José Peseiro expressed confidence in his squad and emphasized the time available for improvement. Speaking to a correspondent during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Peseiro said the team must maintain a constant attacking mindset and control the game. “We have a good team with quality players,” he noted. “We have enough time to refine our model, offensive and defensive positions, and set pieces. We must avoid losing to strong sides like Ecuador, Algeria, and Portugal. I want to win every match; losing is never pleasant, but each defeat is an opportunity to improve and test ourselves against top opponents. To reach the top in Africa, we need to dominate the game; we cannot have separate ideas for defense and attack.”
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, who also plays for the Super Eagles, shared his excitement about returning to the country and representing the national team. He hopes to translate his Serie A form into goals for Nigeria. “I aim to score as many goals as possible when given the chance. Even if I don’t find the net, I want the team to win and secure three points, which are crucial for our campaign. I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi, also a Super Eagles regular, was cautious about making promises but confident in the team’s effort. “We have very good players, and while I won’t promise anything, I know we’ll give 100 percent to try and win. We’re preparing thoroughly and going into the game feeling confident. I trust my teammates, the squad, and Nigeria to achieve a positive result,” he affirmed.
The first leg of the qualifier will take place on Friday, March 24, at 5 p.m. in Abuja’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium. Nigeria has won only one of its last five international matches, the most recent being a 5‑4 penalty victory over Ghana in the CAF Total African Nations Championship qualifiers. Guinea‑Bissau, meanwhile, has drawn its two most recent games—against Gambia and Martinique—in friendly fixtures.
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