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By Anthony Nlebem.
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has ranked Morocco as Africa’s biggest surprise team at the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Portuguese tactician who is currently in Qatar spoke on his observation about the teams he has monitored so far in an interview with the NFF TV on Friday.
Speaking on the performance of the African teams in Qatar, the Portuguese tactician said, “I think Ghana, Cameroon, and Tunisia achieved good results but lacked the consistency to advance to the round of 16.
“Cameroon played a fantastic match against Serbia and they beat Brazil, Ghana also defeated South Korea.
“Senegal had a great performance in the group stage, but the big surprise at this year’s World Cup are Morocco. They are a well-organised team and conceded fewer goals. Only three teams in Africa have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup; Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Morocco make the fourth team.
“They showed qualities and they are the best African team in Qatar.”
The Atlas Lions will play Portugal in the quarter-finals on Saturday at the Al Thumama Stadium.
The 62-year-old tactician also revealed that he watched the last five editions of the World Cup and is in Qatar to watch the games courtesy of support from the Nigeria Football Federation.
“I have been to the last five World Cups watching the games live until now. I am in Qatar with the support of the Nigeria Football Federation.
“I think it’s important to evaluate the evolutionary trends of national teams in this competition.
“It’s a bigger competition for national teams. I can’t compare the organisation of the national teams, some teams have more time to prepare than other teams.
“But if you speak about the quality of the players, matches. As the coach of a national team, the Super Eagles, I can say that there are many qualities. Any national team can bring together the best players.”
“ I arrived in Qatar on December 2 and I have been watching the games live, watching two matches. I watched Portugal vs Croatia and how Cameroon defeated Brazil. It is possible to watch the games because the stadiums are not far from each other, I will watch the quarter-finals, semi-finals, third place and the final.
The Eagles’ chances of taking part in the 2022 World Cup were quashed after they lost on away goals rule against Ghana.
A Thomas Party 10 minutes long-range strike beat Francis Uzoho to put the Black Stars in a commanding position before stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong restored parity from the spot.
The three-time Africa champions however failed to score the all-important goal to secure a spot for the Mundial in Qatar leaving fans devastated.