AFCON 2023: Peseiro Discusses Favorites Tag Ahead of Super Eagles vs Angola Clash

• Jose Peseiro has labelled the Angola match as another final
• The Super Eagles coach does not think Nigeria are favourites
• The Super Eagles will face Angola in the AFCON quarter-final

Jose Peseiro has downplayed the “favourites” tag hung on the Super Eagles ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final tie against Angola.

After the Super Eagles made easy work of Cameroon in the last-16 stage, the three-time AFCON winners have been installed as favourites by fans and pundits to win the competition in Ivory Coast.

As reported by Sports Brief, Peseiro reckons that the Super Eagles only have a 50% chance of winning and not the overwhelming favourites as widely speculated by fans and the media.

“In my opinion, it’s 50% for each team to win the match. I believe in my team, we want to win even though we won’t accept we are the favourites. We will go there and fight.” Peseiro admits during Nigeria’s press conference.

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Nigeria’s anticipated quarter-final encounter against Angola will be held at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, on Friday, February 2.

Peseiro provides update on Nwabali

Meanwhile, Jose Peseiro has revealed that Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will undergo another test to ascertain his fitness level ahead of Nigeria’s quarter-final clash with Angola, Complete Sports reports.

The 27-year-old Chippa United goalkeeper suffered a minor ligament damage in Nigeria's Round of 16 win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Saturday.

Nwabali has, however, participated in the Super Eagles' last two training sessions, dousing tension he could miss the highly anticipated quarter-final tie with the Palancas Negras.

Nigeria are AFCON 2023 favourites

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has shown a strong dislike to being labelled 'favourites' - a tag Nigeria will now have to bear against Angola.

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Nigeria, seeking a fourth continental title, have conceded only once in Ivory Coast, thwarting the hosts themselves and Cameroon in the process, as they head into their quarter-final fixture against the Palancas Negras.

Nigeria are the highest-ranked team left in the competition after the early exits of defending champions Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Cameroon and Egypt.