Nigeria’s head coach Jose Peseiro and team captain Ahmed Musa have re-echoed the desire of the team to win the 2023 AFCON at the expense of hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Super Eagles and the Elephants meet in the final on Sunday in Abidjan – a repeat of their group stage clash earlier in the tournament. Nigeria reached the showdown after a spirited penalty shootout win over South Africa, while Ivory Coast breezed past DR Congo to reach their first final since 2015.
Peseiro and Musa, who appeared before the Press on Saturday for their pre-match conference ahead of Sunday’s big final, reiterated the desire of the team to achieve their goal, which is to win the AFCON at the end of the encounter.
“Of course, it is a big game in the final, good atmosphere, I think full stadium and both teams want to win. I am happy to reach the final and my boys have done a fantastic job but we want to win this AFCON,” Peseiro began.
“Playing a final is always important. This is my first AFCON. Some were saying it’s been special, and I can attest to that. The emotions in Africa are very special. All of this, in my opinion, is a great way to learn and I would love to win it with the Nigerian team tomorrow,” said the coach.
“I learned tremendously here. There is joy when you win but difficult when you lose so it is very important to find a balance. We have a great squad of players that want to win this for Nigeria. Some are newcomers to the squad but have played in other competitions. Football brings a long of emotion, more than any sport and this is important for Nigeria,” he added.
On his part, Musa, who is aiming for a second AFCON title, also shared the coach’s sentiments. Musa has not played a minute for the Super Eagles in Cote d’Ivoire, but Peseiro stated that the veteran is a very important player for the squad.
“Ahmed is much more than a player. He helps us a lot. He advises and informs me about many things. Up to now, he has done so many things. He has won the AFCON. He is the captain and I want to win the AFCON tomorrow so I can see Ahmed lift this cup,” concluded Peseiro.
In terms of fitness, Zaidu Sanusi – who missed the semi-final game against South Africa – remains a doubt for Sunday’s final but will be assessed in the team’s final training session before a decision is made.
Meanwhile, Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida has been appointed by CAF to take charge of proceedings in the final. The first assistant referee will be Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos of Angola, while Diana Chikotesha has been appointed second assistant referee for the match.
Sunday’s final has been scheduled to kick off by 8pm local time [9pm Nigerian time] and it will be played at the 60,000-capacity Stade Alassane Ouattara, Ebimpe, Abidjan.
Samuel Areo, reporting from Abidjan
