Teream Moffi Appears to Criticise Jose Peseiro for Lack of Playing Time at 2023 AFCON

• Terem Moffi is the top-scoring Nigerian in the French Ligue 1
• The 24-year-old striker has scored 10 goals this season for Nice
• He appeared to call out Jose Peseiro for not playing him at the 2023 AFCON

Nigeria had one of the best squads at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Some players, like Terem Moffi, got a few minutes to showcase their talent, which many felt wasn't enough.

The Nice striker had recalled the 2023 AFCON, expressing his displeasure with representing Nigeria for a few minutes in Ivory Coast.

Jose Peseiro did not call up Moffi from his initial squad for the tournament. When Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, pulled out with an injury, Moffi was called up to replace him.

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Peseiro preferred Napoli and African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, as his starting striker throughout the tournament.

Osimhen scored once in Ivory Coast, but played a vital role in the Super Eagles' run to the final.

Moffi did not play a single minute until his brief cameo in the semi-final against South Africa, per Transfermarkt. He nearly scored a famous winner but was brought down by Grant Kekana.

The Bafana Bafana defender was shown a straight red for the tackle. The Nice striker scored his penalty in the shootout.

He played four minutes in the final, which Nigeria lost to the host nation, per BBC.

Moffi on his AFCON playing time

Moffi has been scoring for fun in the French Ligue 1 with Nice. He recently bagged his 10th league goal of the campaign.

The 24-year-old appeared to call out former Nigeria coach, Peseiro when asked to disclose his secrets of scoring.

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“Secret [of scoring goals]? There is no secret. The difference is that during the AFCON I hardly had playing time. I had less than 15 minutes playing time throughout. If what happened after I was introduced into the semi-final game against South Africa didn’t happen, very few people would have remembered that I even played in the AFCON,” via Afrik-Foot.

He pointed at his regular playing time at his club, which has helped him score goals.

“In contrast, in my club I play week after week and get the chance to score and I score. There is therefore no secret but a matter of opportunity.”

Moffi has played 14 matches for Nigeria and scored four goals.

Moffi names his idols

Sports Brief earlier reported on Moffi naming Chelsea and Manchester United legends as his idols.

Moffi said Ivory Coast icon Didier Drogba and former Arsenal and Man United striker Robin Van Persie inspired him.