Super Eagles head coach, José Peseiro, has refuted reports alleging he complained about the quality of pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Peseiro stated that he has never had any encounter with any journalist prior to the report and added that the only press brief he has done was a post-match press conference in the US during the friendly matches.
The Portuguese in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, where he responded to questions from newsmen, stressed that he is more concerned about Thursday’s 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone.
“I didn’t speak or complain to anyone about the pitch and I really don’t know where the false story was coming from,” astonished Peseiro said. The Trumpet Gathered
“I never spoke to any journalist on this issue.
“In fact, the only time I spoke with the press prior to my taking charge of the team was during a post-match conference in the USA,” he stated
According to the Super Eagles coach, who has consistently assured Nigerians he wants to win the continental tourney in Cote d’Ivoire, stated that the cracker with Leone Stars is a must-win.
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Peseiro noted that despite his focus on winning the AFCON title being sacrosanct, he appealed for the collective support of all stakeholders to complement the effort of the team to realise the goal.
He continued: “To us, the most important thing is playing well tomorrow [Thursday] and beating Sierra Leone. Every other thing is secondary. So, winning tomorrow is non-negotiable.
“It is a pleasure to coach the Super Eagles. This is a team with lots of history and indeed, the pride of Africa.
“I’m happy and I have come here to do my best and the big goal for me is to win the next AFCON.
“We must do it together; my staffers, the players, NFF and of course, the media, and the work begins today,” he appealed.
Furthermore, Peseiro reiterated that he has come to perform wonderful works with the Super Eagles, which according to him, have a rich history in football and comprise quality players needed to process the 2023
AFCON.
He asserted that he has always admired Nigeria’s senior men’s football team and had watched them play in the US 1994 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles head coach exemplified the team and promised to restore the Super Eagles to their glory days.
“I have come here for one goal: to achieve success with the fantastic players and for Nigerians.
“I am confident because I believe in the team, the quality and the number of good players.
“I have followed Nigeria’s history in football from 1994 and other successful teams, and I want to bring back that joy.
“I have always loved the Nigeria team, particularly since I watched them play at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the U.S.
“It is a team with a solid pedigree. Presently, we have both the quality and quantity of players and it is always a good situation for any team,” he said.
Nigeria, in their opening Group A match, take on Sierra Leone today at the MKO Abiola National Stadium to kickstart their campaign to the finals of the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire before they jet out of the country to battle Sao Tome and Principe.
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