Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro says he can’t confidently predict victory for his team in their second group game against Côte d’Ivoire in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He said only God could give victories, adding that the Super Eagles did every they could in their first match to defeat Equatorial Guinea but the game ended in a draw.
The team is now faced with an uphill task of securing maximum point against the host nation to enhance their chances of making it to the round of 16 of the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the crucial game against Côte d’Ivoire, Peseiro said the team could only play on the field, but only God can give victories.
“In the game against Equatorial Guinea, we were the better team. We created chances and had the most possession in the match but could not record a win,” Peseiro said.
“Like I said, only God gives and takes,” added Peseiro.
‘God gives; God takes’ is a trope now synonymous with Peseiro among journalists covering the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.
He first made the statement during the post-match press conference after the draw against Equatorial Guinea.
The stakes are high as Nigeria goes into their second Group A game against the host with so much pressure on the team to get a better result against Côte d’Ivoire after several dismal and uninspiring performances in the past matches coming into the tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire maintained an early lead in Group A with three points following the comfortable 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the tournament’s opening match.
