Jose Peseiro Names One Player That Could Have Helped Nigeria Win 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast

• Bayer Leverkusen star, Victor Boniface, is still recovering from an injury
• Ex-Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro, feels they missed him at AFCON 2023
• The Super Eagles reached the final but lost 2-1 to hosts, Ivory Coast

Nigeria were close to winning their fourth Africa Cup of Nations in February, but lost in the final to hosts, Ivory Coast.

Jose Peseiro was in the hot seat at the tournament and believes they would've lifted the title if Bayer Leverkusen star, Victor Boniface, was available.

Nigeria had the most fearsome attacking unit, led by Victor Osimhen and Boniface. The Super Eagles were dealt a significant blow when the Leverkusen star sustained an abductor injury in their preparations.

Still, Peseiro masterminded an unexpected run to the final. The team was built on a solid defensive structure that conceded four goals throughout the tournament.

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Those tactics backfired in the final. They took the lead through Player of the Tournament, William Troost-Ekong, in the first half, but conceded twice in the second half. They failed to mount a successful comeback.

Apart from Boniface, Sadiq Umar controversially withdrew with injury.

Peseiro on Boniface AFCON absence

Peseiro left his role as Super Eagles coach earlier this month after his deal expired. The Portuguese tactician believes they would've done much better with Boniface in the team.

"I will say that Boniface would have made the difference without injury,” he said in an interview, via Complete Sports.

The ex-Nigeria coach also explained how he would've used the 23-year-old.

"He was very confident and can play comfortably in our two-man attacking style. He can also play on both sides of the strikers and that would have made him our invisible arc in the tournament. Our options to refine our style were limited in his absence."

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Boniface is enjoying a breakout campaign in Europe with Leverkusen. He has scored 16 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt. His performances have helped the club challenge for the Bundesliga title.

Xabi Alonso's side are top of the table with 67 points after 25 top flight games. Defending champions, Bayern Munich, are second with 57 points.

Alonso on Boniface's return

Sports Brief has also reported on Alonso discussing Boniface's possible return date from injury after missing months of action.

The Spaniard said he could make a return from injury after the international break in March after a long absence from the squad.