Elephants were the better team, Nigeria coach admits

By Mark Ogagan

Head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has credited Cote d’Ivoire for being the better team on Sunday after the hosts came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles were well on course to grabbing fourth AFCON gold medal, but were edged by the hosts who showed character in coming back from a goal down.

Speaking after the match, the Portuguese tactician, who was coaching in his first AFCON tournament, said he was sad that his team could not go all the way but conceded to his opponents being the better side on the night.

“They were better than us today, they managed the pressure better, they did a remarkable job. My team did not play at the same level. My team is sad but for me they did what they could.

“We conceded goals from a few defensive errors, and we dropped the tempo against the Ivorians. But I am proud of the way my players performed in this tournament”, concluded the coach.

William Troost-Ekong, who scored Nigeria’s only goal of the match was awarded the TotalEnergies Best Player of the Tournament.