Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro says he is surprised at the criticism he suffered ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Appointed as head coach a little over a year ago following the failure of the team to make it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, His tenure hasn’t been smooth sailing for the team.
The coach was discarded by many and seen as one who can’t take the team far, but his team have responded at the Africa Cup of Nations by progressing all the way to the final, where they will take on the host country Cote d’Ivoire in today’s game.
Peseiro was asked if he thinks he has responded to the criticism with the performance of his team, the Portuguese coach said he was even surprised that he was a subject of such vile comments judging by the records of the team before the AFCON.
“Am I surprised to be in the AFCON final? I’ve only lost once in 14 matches. Sometimes I don’t understand the criticism but I try to”, he said during the pre match conference ahead of today’s game.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman