Head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles Jose Peseiro is optimistic his side will get a good result against Sierra Leone in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Portuguese coach spoke at the pre-match conference in Monrovia, Liberia shortly after the side’s arrival on Saturday.
The match day five fixture between the Super Eagles and Leone Stars is to be played in Liberia because none of Sierra Leone’s stadia was approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The 63-year old coach stressed the importance of the game to Nigeria in her quest to seal qualification to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Coted’voire and is optimistic ahead of the game.
“It is an important match for both teams. Our team is expected to win, but we know we must do our best in the match and put 100% in the match and put the maximum focus in this match.
“We want to qualify tomorrow with one point but we want to win. Of course this is it for the opponents [Sierra Leone], for us, no. I expect a good match because it involves two good teams.
Nigeria dropped to second spot in the group after Guinea-Bissau defeated Sao Tome and Principe by a lone goal on Wednesday. A point will be enough to seal qualification, but Peseiro is focused on winning the game.
“We want to win every time. Nigeria is one team with possibilities, one team with the trophies and we have the responsibility to play everytime for a win.”
The Nigerian contingent made up of 23 players, technical and administrative staff and a few other officials led by President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, landed at the Roberts International Airport at 11.08am local time (12.08pm in Nigeria), and was received by the Ambassador of Nigeria to Liberia, His Excellency Godfrey A. E. Odudigbo, the Head of Chancery, Ms Stella Ahumibe and a few other mission staff.
The match, which will be played on Sunday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, will kick off by 5pm (Nigerian time).
Photo credit: Jamiu Adelase
