Former Super Eagles Coach Blames Peseiro for Nigeria’s AFCON Loss, Points to Osimhen’s Decisions

• Nigeria lost the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against tournament host Ivory Coast
• Striker, Victor Osimhen, was largely underwhelming for the Super Eagles on the night
• A former Nigeria coach has aired his thoughts on why the Super Eagles lost the final

The Super Eagles of Nigeria fell to defeat in the final hurdle of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against tournament host, Ivory Coast.

The West African nation, which had made a name for themselves at the showpiece with their seemingly surprising but admirable defensive approach, failed to replicate the impressive performance many expected of them in the final and fell to defeat against Les Elephants.

In the aftermath of the showpiece and with the coaching situation of the Super Eagles finally sorted, former gaffer of the Nigerian team, Clemens Westerhof, recounted the incident in the final, singling out a few individuals whose actions he believed had cost Nigeria the title.

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Westerhof speaks on AFCON final

In an interview as reported by OwnGoalNigeria, the 84-year-old touched on the tactics of then-Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, as well as the performance of striker, Victor Osimhen.

“Osimhen was not at his best; the pressure got to him, and he lost balls he shouldn’t have. But you have to be fair; he was left alone in all the attacks, which is why you have to look at the coach’s tactics.”

Further criticising the manager's approach, the retired coach stated:

“The coach did not set them up to dominate; they were just there to contain. Such tactics don't help forwards. However, Osimhen should have done better with the balls that came his way,” he concluded.

Westerhof was the coach of Nigeria between 1989 and 1994. During his stint as coach of the Super Eagles, he led Nigeria to AFCON glory in 1994 and qualified the Super Eagles for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in the same year.

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