Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has expressed optimism about his team’s chances against Ivory Coast in their upcoming AFCON 2023 match, saying he has handed the game over to God.
Peseiro, who successfully led the team to qualification with a remarkable 16-0 aggregate win over Sao Tome and Principe, acknowledged the team’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group A match.
The Portuguese tactician attributed the team’s performance to divine providence, saying, “God gives, God takes.” He hopes God will grant them a favorable result against Ivory Coast.
In his pre-game conference, Peseiro reiterated his faith, stating, “We can only create the chances to score and hope God gives us this match against Cote d’Ivoire.”
Nigeria will face Ivory Coast without midfielder Yusuf Alhassan, who suffered an injury in the Equatorial Guinea match.