AFCON 2023: Segun Odegbami Blames Peseiro After Nigeria’s Loss to Ivory Coast, Sends Message to NFF

• Ivory Coast became champions after their 2-1 win over Nigeria in the AFCON 2023 final
• The Super Eagles failed to hold on to their lead as they conceded two second-half goals
• Nigerian Segun Odegbami has expressed disappointment with the team's technical crew

Legendary Nigerian footballer, Segun Odegbami, has hit out at Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, after Nigeria conceded the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title to Ivory Coast.

Despite going ahead in the first half courtesy of a header by William Troost-Ekong, the Ivorians turned the game around in the second half to win it 2-1.

Franck Kessie restored parity for the hosts in the 62nd minute, and then Sebastien Haller netted what turned out to be the winner in the 82nd minute.

The hosts piled the pressure on the Nigerian side from start to finish, with the Super Eagles struggling to string passes together all through the night.

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Odegbami, who watched the explosive encounter from the stands inside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, suggested that Jose Peseiro's time as Super Eagles coach should be over.

Obviously unimpressed with the tactics and formation of the Portuguese tactician, Odegbami told Sports Brief.

"Today's match should end it. He has done well; let him collect his dues and go away so that we can have somebody else who knows the players, knows the team, and has a clear idea of what teams should do.

"Let's get who is tactically sound to handle our national team, and once you do that, I'm sure with the players that we have and those that are coming, we will qualify for the World Cup."

Asked if he prefers another foreign coach, the 71-year-old added:

"He has to be a Nigerian."

Troost-Ekong hails Rio Ferdinand

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Sports Brief earlier reported that Nigeria defender Troost-Ekong shared his admiration for former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

Troost-Ekong had been instrumental for the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, leading Nigeria to the final.

Following Nigeria's victory over South Africa in the semi-final on Wednesday, the ex-England international displayed his support for the two-time champions.