Peseiro: Eagles don’t need change of tactics… we’ve created most chances at AFCON

Jose Peseiro, Super Eagles head coach, says the team does not need a change in strategy to score more goals at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Peseiro spoke on Friday at the press conference ahead of AFCON’s second-round match against Cameroon.

Despite finishing second in Group A with seven points from three games, the Eagles scored only three goals.

Victor Osimhen’s 38th-minute header against Equatorial Guinea was the team’s only goal from open play. The other two goals were a William Troost-Ekong penalty and an own goal by Opa Sangante of Guinea-Bissau.

The Eagles’ low productivity in front goal has been a concern for many Nigerians, particularly on social media. With many calling on the coach to change to tactics and strategies that ensure more goals

Addressing the situation, Peseiro said his strategies have “created more clear-cut opportunities” for Nigeria at AFCON, and he would stick to them.

“I saw a statistic yesterday that our team have created more clear-cut opportunities than others. If we create opportunities, then I cannot change our model — our game. But if we do not create opportunities, then we can change,” the Eagles head coach said.

“I always repeat to them, do not concede, create chances, and sometimes we can score plenty of goals.

“Goals are like ketchup. Sometimes, you do not score with plenty of opportunities, and you score plenty of goals with little chances.

Peseiro added that the Eagles will try not to concede against Cameroon and “at least score one and go through”.

“It is a tough match, of course. I think eight AFCON titles [between the two countries]. It is a historic match against two big teams,” he said.

“You know what you must do if you want to beat Cameroon. You do not want to concede goals and at least score one and go through. We must play with the same enthusiasm, demand and focus for that.

“We must sacrifice for running, fighting, playing and enjoying the game.”

Nigeria will face Cameroon on Saturday by 9 pm.