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By Abiodun Adewale.
Following the conclusion of the double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has rated the Estadio 24 de Setembro pitch above the surface of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The Portuguese made the assertion during an interview with the NFF media team.
After falling to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat in Abuja against the Wild Dogs last Friday, Moses Simon’s 30th-minute penalty made amends for Peseiro’s men in the second leg as they also recorded a 1-0 win in the second leg on Monday.
In a chat with NFF’s media team after Monday’s victory, the Portuguese coach was full of praises for his team’s ability to create but rued their inability to score more goals while he also pointed out that the turf of Guinea Bissau’s September 24 Stadium is better than the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
“Our team is much better than Guinea Bissau and we created many chances in the second leg, just like the first. Also, the pitch is better than Abuja. You know our team play an offensive game, and I think we deserved to beat Guinea in both matches. We could have beaten them like 5-1 in Abuja and maybe 5-0 in the second leg because they didn’t create one opportunity,” Peseiro began.
“I like the quality of our football, the ball possession and the creation of clear opportunities. Our mistake was the finishing and that can improve in the next matches. At this moment, I am happy, not because of the result, but because we played quality football with our quality players.”
He also alluded to the Eagles’ style of play under erstwhile coach Genort Rohr, claiming he wants the team to remain offensive.
“You try to plan an offensive game that the fans want. The last coach left because the people complained of that, so I want to play nice and beautiful football with opportunities. We have the best squad now and I think we can do better with our finishing,” the coach said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi, who was with the team in Bissau, assured fans that the federation would do everything possible to improve the conditions of the Eagles and other national teams.
“It was a sweet victory. The spirit of the players, officials and everyone at home was down after the loss at home. But as professionals, we knew it wasn’t over and the players came out for business and delivered. We are also grateful to Nigerians who received us from the airport and also came out on match-day to support us. We also thank Nigerians at home who believed in the team.
“We are working out logistics to improve on what was done the last time. I can assure that very soon, we will see an improved Super Eagles and other national teams,” Sanusi said.
The win over Guinea-Bissau ensured Nigeria returned to the top of Group A of the AFCON qualifiers with nine points, followed by the Djurtus in second on seven points and Sierra Leone in third on five points. Bottom-place Sao Tome and Principe have one point.