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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.
On the 'FIVE' podcast hosted by Rio Ferdinand, Mourinho didn't just throw his support behind the Super Eagles; he made it personal, rooting for his longtime buddy Peseiro to clinch the title and etch his name in history as the first Portuguese to win the prestigious African tournament.
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19:13 - 12.02.2024
AFCON 2023: ‘I am sad, my players are sad’- Jose Peseiro
Super Eagles' dreams of glory were dashed as they fell to a resilient Ivory Coast, losing 2-1 in a match that saw Nigeria relinquish their lead and ultimately, the championship.
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13:26 - 12.02.2024
Nigerians question Peseiro's style despite Super Eagles' AFCON final run
Jose Peseiro's tactics have come under the storm following Nigeria's defeat to Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2023 final.
Mourinho's backing wasn't a surprise, given the deep-rooted friendship and professional respect he shares with Peseiro. Their journey began in their youth, sharing desks at the university and dreams on the football pitch.
Mourinho, a titan in the football world with three Premier League titles to his name, didn't hold back in his praise, labelling Peseiro a "genius in football."
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This camaraderie added an extra layer of intrigue to Nigeria's showdown against Ivory Coast, with Mourinho having previously coached Nigerian stars Kenneth Omeruo and Ola Aina during his tenure at Chelsea.
Peseiro's Gratitude and the Road Ahead
Responding to Mourinho's heartfelt endorsement, Peseiro expressed his gratitude, highlighting the mutual respect and friendship that has flourished over the years as reported by Allnigeriasoccer. "Of course, I spoke with him, I speak with him many times. I am his friend, he's a genius in football.
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"I am happy because he supports me. He's my friend, it's good for us," Peseiro remarked. Despite the Super Eagles' narrow 2-1 defeat in the final, the support from a footballing heavyweight like Mourinho underscores the global recognition of Peseiro's efforts and the Nigerian team's valour.
As the team prepared to depart from Abidjan to Abuja, the echoes of their hard-fought journey in the AFCON 2023, backed by the support of footballing elites, will undoubtedly fuel their aspirations for future glory.
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