Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has disclosed that his new-found winning strategy suffered in the last 20 minutes of the semi-final clash with South Africa.
Peseiro stated this during a news conference after Nigeria’s 4-2 penalty shootout win at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire.
Peseiro added that, of the current AFCON, the semi-final match was the hardest he had played thus far.
“Around 90 minutes, I saw that our team suffered; we were shaken; we lost the balance.
“But during the break before the extra time, we put ourselves together and went into extra time with that confidence.
“They are a very good team; they created a lot of problems for us; they did a fantastic job, but I think our boys deserved to win,” Peseiro said.
Hugo Broos, his South African counterpart, commended his players for a job well done and voiced the conviction that his side performed extremely well but lost the game.
“Two minutes before the end of 90 minutes, we had three clear-cut chances. If we could score, then it means we are going to the final.
“It is a disappointment for everyone because we feel that we played a very good game today, and I’m very proud of it.
“I’m proud of my players; the disappointment is small, and the proudness is very big. What they did, what they performed, not only today, I think I have to be proud as a coach,” Broos.
In the 67th minute, Super Eagles captain William Ekong gave his country’s team the lead with a penalty kick.
Victor Osimhen scored what would have been Nigeria’s second goal in the 86th minute, but a dramatic turn of events saw his celebrations cut short.
However, after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, it was determined that Alhassan Yusuf had fouled a player in his goal area, and the Bafana Bafana were awarded a penalty.
In the 88th minute, Teboho Mokoena of Bafana Bafana tied the score by sending custodian Stanley Nwabali to the opposite side.
