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Under the guidance of manager Jose Peseiro, Nigeria's Super Eagles have turned their defensive fortunes around in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
The team, which struggled to maintain a clean sheet in the five matches leading up to the tournament, has now emerged as a defensive powerhouse, sharing the title of the best defensive side at the AFCON after back-to-back shutouts in the group stage.
Formation Shift Pays Off
Peseiro's strategic shift to a 3-4-3 formation has been a game-changer for the Super Eagles. This tactical adjustment was first trialled in a friendly against Guinea and has since become a key part of their gameplay, especially evident in their victory against Ivory Coast.
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19:01 - 27.01.2024
Austin Eguavoen weighs in on Super Eagles AFCON campaign and Peseiro's Future
Super Eagles technical director Augustine Eguaveon speaks about Jose Peseiro’s future with the Nigerian national team.
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14:45 - 27.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Super Eagles star Moses Simon settles Ghana vs Nigeria jollof rice debate
In a light-hearted moment that transcended the usual football rivalry, Nigerian superstar Moses Simon took the stage at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 press conference to address a debate that has long simmered in West Africa: Which country makes the best jollof rice, Ghana or Nigeria?
Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and William Troost-Ekong have established themselves as the core defensive trio in this setup, offering solidity and coordination at the back.
Team Effort in Defense
Despite the spotlight on the central defenders, Calvin Bassey emphasizes the collective effort in their defensive success. Speaking to Hot Sports, as reported by Allnigeriasoccer, Bassey said, "Defending starts from the front so if you see the way we are defending from the front I've got to give credit to the strikers and our wingers."
He highlighted the contributions of attack-minded players like Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze, who play crucial roles in initiating defence from the front.
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Bassey also pointed out the importance of team chemistry, noting the limited time players have together due to their commitments to various clubs.
He mentioned, "This is the most consistent time period we've had where we are able to build and get a feeling of people's strengths and weaknesses."
His performance in the group stage, registering eight tackles, the highest by any player, underscores his pivotal role in the team's defensive unit.
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