Zaidu Sanusi: Super Eagles Coach Speaks on Defender’s 'Mistakes' Ahead of South Africa Tie

• Zaidu Sanusi has featured in all of Nigeria's matches at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
• The FC Porto defender has failed to impress fans back home due to a number of mistakes
• Coach of the side Jose Peseiro has lauded the star, saying it is difficult to play in his position

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has hailed Zaidu Sanusi's contributions so far at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Sanusi has featured in all matches for the three-time champions, who are now through to the semi-final of the tournament.

While fans have raised concerns over the player's performances in recent times, Jose Peseiro suggested that the FC Porto man is playing to directives.

Nigeria managed a 1-0 win over Angola in a pulsating encounter at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, where Ademola Lookman scored the only goal.

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Sanusi has featured as the left wingback in Peseiro’s preferred 3-4-3 formation, but he has failed to score a goal or create an assist despite finding himself severally in good attacking positions.

The coach of the side admitted that the player had made mistakes, suggesting he was just like every other player.

The tactician maintains that it is a difficult role for any player in such a formation, adding that the 26-year-old played even better against Angola than during the game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

Peseiro said, as per Punch:

“I think Zaidu Sanusi played well, but it is not easy playing fullback in this system because they must go in the other line (attack) and come in this line (defence).

“It’s different for someone playing in the middle running 5m, 10m with the same speed. But for fullbacks, they must go with speed and come back with speed, and sometimes the fullback feels, in some moments, not fresh. And when not fresh, they don’t decide well."

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Nwabali shakes off injury scare

Sports Brief earlier reported that Stanley Nwabali shook off an injury scare to inspire Nigeria into the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations with another stellar performance for the Super Eagles.

Nwabali kept another clean sheet as the three-time champions defeated Angola to reach the last four of the tournament in Cote d'Ivoire.

In a video shared on social media, the in-form shot-stopper denied Angola's Mabululu, stopping the Palancas Negras from taking an early lead.