Coach Jose Peseiro has revealed that he changed players and tried two new formations in a final 2023 AFCON warm-up game against Guinea.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro insists the team deserved more in the loss to Guinea 🇬🇳, but he’s still happy with the general coordination because he tried a new formation 3-4-3, and rested most of his starting eleven. #AfconWithMightyGeorge #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/pUAkJCWMus
— G.O.A.T (@iamMightyGeorge) January 9, 2024
He also said he would have preferred he won the test game, but was happy because the Super Eagles played well overall despite losing 2-0 to Guinea.
“We tested a new system today, 3-4-3. We did a very good first half, we were losing 1-0 then, but we deserved more,” he told the NFF TV.
“We lost a penalty and missed two, three clear chances.
“We played very well and put the other team on the back foot, but we let in a goal through a mistake. But it’s better to do the mistakes now than later.”
He continued: “The second half was more balanced between the two teams.
“We lost the balance in the midfield against a team with speed and who played with counter attack.
“We played 4-3-3 later and they got three or four counter attack situations and they got the second goal.
“But I am happy because I changed the team, I didn’t play all the players, I tried to manage the team in these two matches.”
He singled out debutants Alhassan Yusuf and Stanley Nwabali for special mention, but refused to announce South Africa-based goalkeeper Nwabali as his No 1 for the AFCON.
“I know in my head the starting XI against Equatorial Guinea (on Sunday), but I keep it to myself,” he said.
