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The final whistle of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations not only marked the conclusion of an electrifying tournament but also ignited a fiery debate on the future of Nigeria's head coach, José Peseiro.
Despite navigating the Super Eagles to the final, Peseiro's tactics and the team's ultimate 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast have stirred controversy.
Idah Peterside, the ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, has vocally joined the chorus of those demanding a change at the helm, critiquing the team's approach under Peseiro and advocating for a return to a style more reflective of Nigerian football's rich heritage.
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21:24 - 12.02.2024
AFCON 2023: Peseiro admits Super Eagles were second best in the final
In a night filled with high drama at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, the Super Eagles of Nigeria had to settle for second place as the Ivory Coast Elephants staged an unforgettable comeback to clinch their third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory.
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19:45 - 12.02.2024
Peseiro Hails Mourinho as 'Football Genius' Amid AFCON Final Support for Super Eagles
Ahead of the climax of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria's bench boss, Jose Peseiro, found himself in the limelight, not just for steering the Super Eagles to the final but also due to a hefty endorsement from none other than the Special One, Jose Mourinho.
A Tactical Misstep?
"We all know Brazilians play Samba football, the British will always play fast football and just drop the ball, that is how they play. Now we are playing the Portuguese version of Jose Mourinho where we pack the bus.
"That is what we are playing now but this is not our style," Peterside lamented in his interview with Channels Television, as reported by Allnigeriasoccer.
His critique pinpoints a fundamental disconnect between Peseiro's strategy and the traditional, attack-minded ethos of Nigerian football.
Despite leading through a William Troost-Ekong goal, the Super Eagles' inability to maintain their advantage has become a focal point for criticism.
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The Future Under Fire
The loss and the manner of play have catalyzed calls for Peseiro's dismissal, despite him fulfilling the Nigeria Football Federation's mandate by reaching the final.
Peterside's comparison of Nigeria's situation to Ivory Coast's mid-tournament coaching change, which sparked a remarkable turnaround, underscores the belief that a coach more aligned with Nigeria's cultural and footballing identity could yield better results.
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"He would have said to them, where are you running to, pass the ball. Every time you play football, the coaches will tell you to deny the opponent time and space, and whoever holds the ball wins the game," Peterside added, emphasizing the need for tactical fluidity and possession-based play.
As Nigeria looks ahead to the World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, the debate over Peseiro's future intensifies.
With a contract extension in his pocket but a nation divided on his tactical approach, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Portuguese tactician remains at the helm of the Super Eagles or if a new chapter begins for Nigerian football.
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