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Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has said his team deserved to win their AFCON match against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
The Nigerians played a 1-1 draw against their opponents at the Alassane Ouattara stadium, Abidjan. It was both teams’ first game of the tournament.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen equalised two minutes after Iban Salvador had shockingly put Equatorial Guinea ahead in the 36th minute.
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The Super Eagles failed to convert the many opportunities they had and regrettably settled for a draw against the minnows.
Osimhen was also guilty of missing the game’s biggest chance. He failed to hit the target when set-up by Alex Iwobi and left one-on-one with the Equatorial Guinean goalkeeper.
It is now a big test for the three-time champions who face hosts Ivory Coast in their second group match. Ivory Coast had defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in the first game of the tournament.
Peseiro was quite impressed with the overall performance of his team. However, he rued their missed opportunities.
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“We did everything to win. We created many and clear opportunities, and we simply deserved to win,” Peseiro said in the post-match interview.
The coach also mentioned his players’ adaptability to the high temperature during the match.
“Playing 2pm (3pm Nigerian time) isn’t easy, so the temperature and humidity were not good. But our players managed it very well. It wasn’t easy playing in these conditions,” Peseiro added.
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Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria boast of a point each, both occupying second and third respectively. They are behind Ivory Coast who have maximum points from their only game so far. The Ivorians are first in Group A. Guinea-Bissau sit in the last spot with zero point.
Nigeria will be hoping to beat Ivory Coast on Thursday to highly boost their chances of progressing from the group.
A draw will require the Super Eagles to win their last group match against Guinea-Bissau next Monday.
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