Nigeria can win this AFCON - Jose Peseiro ahead of Bafana Bafana clash

Speaking during the match day minus one press conference ahead of the much-anticipated 2023 AFCON semifinal showdown against Bafana Bafana tonight, Peseiro who was not accepting the favourites tag entirely - does believe that his team has got what it takes to win this AFCON title. 

READ: It’s my obligation to win AFCON – Emerse Faé

The two archrivals clash at Stade de la Paixin (Stadium of Peace) in Bouaké in a game that kicks-off at 5pm (7pm SA Time).

''We want to win this competition, when I signed the contract - I said I want to sign this contract because I believe in my players and the qualities they possess,'' said Peseiro.

 With all the top five ranked African nations out of the tournament, including top-ranked country Morocco who were knocked out by Bafana Bafana in the round of 16, it becomes increasingly difficult for the Super Eagles to ignore the favourites tag. But Peseiro knows that Bafana Bafana who came to this tournament as ranked 12th in the tournament, have proven to be giant killers in this 34th edition and anything is possible come this evening.

''We have a tough match against a good team. We must play a high level match, we know their capacity and the fact that they have won against big teams in the past.’’

“My players and I, we know exactly what we need to do to beat this very good team,'' added Peseiro. 

 Peseiro, who is now in the second year of his contract with Nigeria and was almost relieved of his duties in 2021, when they failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, says he has never doubted his team’s ability to win the AFCON.

Nigeria comes to this semifinal on the back of four consecutive wins out of five matches and also remaining unbeaten in the tournament. As a top six-ranked country on the continent, Peseiro also lists the areas of the game that they need to master and confirm their confidence in the result.

''One thing I believe is that - we can be the same performers as per our last game, we defended together and attacked together. But both teams are equally confident ahead of this clash,'' he concluded.

 Meanwhile, Peseiro says an informed decision on the medical update of their leading striker and reigning African Footballer of the year Victor Osimhen will be made this afternoon. The Super Eagles landed in Bouakè just before midnight last night without Osimehn and they had updated on the social media platforms that the Napoli striker has been left behind in Abidjan as he was being attended to by the medical team. The 25 year-old is said to be suffering from an abdominal discomfort.