Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has praised his players for an improved performance, despite losing to Ecuador in their second friendly game in the United States on Friday morning.
Ecuador ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a third minute goal by Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupinan.
The defender took advantage of poor defending by the Eagles backline to head home a setpiece.
But the Eagles came out more purposeful and bossed the remainder of the game but failed to convert some decent scoring chances.
And speaking after his second defeat since taking charge, Peseiro praised his players for the improvement shown after the Mexico game.
The Portuguese went on to question the referee’ s decision not to award the Eagles a penalty in the first half.
“I think in the game against Mexico the first half we didn’t play well,” he said in his post-match press conference.
Also Read: Pinnick Hails Super Eagles Despite Defeat To Ecuador
“But today in the last 25 to 30 minutes we were in command but only in the first 15 minutes we didn’t play well. We had players who can control the match and be in command of the game but in the first 15 minutes we could not. So after the first 15 minutes we played well in my opinion.
“The second half was much better but it is not easy to put pressure for 90 minutes. And of course I don’t like to speak about the referee but at least we deserved one penalty, no VAR but in the stadium a clear penalty was shown. The goalkeeper touched the foot of our striker (Terem Moffi) but anybody can make mistake, I can commit mistake, the referee, players can commit mistake also.
“We played much better today compared to the game against Mexico. I think we pressured more, created more opportunities. Against Mexico we created opportunities but today we created more. More pressure more organisation and remember against Mexico we only trained two times and some players trained just once.”
Up next for Peseiro and the Eagles is the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Mauritius.
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COMMENTS
Another loss and a continuous slide into abysmal performance. Defense is zero, the striking force is zero, so how on earth do you intend to win a match not even against Ecuador. Shame.
see ur mouth like Ecuador, they are ranked 12th in the world.
The got top 4 out of 13 South America World Cup qualifying in a continent with Brazil , Argentina, Uruguya, Chile ,colombia etc.
South America get 4.5 to world cup
It’s less than a week to our match against Sierra Leone. The NFF should please release the names of the other invited players.
Teams are always doing “cow girl” on the SE.
You know that the players are good and “on top” guys.
I think, the person coaching them ia the problem.
Better sack this man now ooo before it’s yoo late.
This man has no history, and is doing family affairs with the SE. His son is the gymn trainer.
Thank you man, i hate it when guys come here and call our boys average, its lazy and stupid, our boys are doing well out there, blame the coach and few underserving players on the pitch, players like ekong, homebased and that moffi who has lost form. A player like Dennis needs to be very close to the 18 yards box, because his weakness is that he loses the ball alot, but he’s very deadly, a good coach would know this, you need to know the strength and weeknesses of these guys, i hope pesiero can notice this and succeed
His ‘deadliness’ made him miss a sitter from a Bassey’s cross.
Please sir, i don’t watch these guys only when they play for the super eagles, or would you say lewandoski has never missed worse?
We have good players around the world, get them! Our lineup for this qualifiers should be something like this, 4 4 2
That Israeli goal keeper(very good distribution)
Ola aina ndah bassey zaidu
Iwobi Kingsley Michael aribo lookman
Osimhen umar
Bench: awoniyi, dennis, balogun, chukwueze, ebuehi, ozornwanfor, ajayi, etc
This lineup with a technically sound coach would give even spain a run for its shoney
Inukwa akuko lol
What don’t you understand in the lineup? Or is it that your favourites are missing? Iheanacho?
Was it not the same serria Leone dey played 4 : 4 with and 0 0 away….
Anyway even. In the days of kanu and okocha sierra Leone beat Dem. 1.0 ..
So be careful…
Please Nigerians be patient we will get there let this man do his job am still saying it we need to change this attitude of inpatient goals we come
Iwobi was the player Nigeria lacked against Ghana.
Super Eagles till now are needing some technical elements to do in order to improve; these elements are reforming defensive midfield, center defence just reforming set-pieces and good coverage from distance and consonant rival’s kicks; proper coverage and agression and combativeness by defensive midfielders; proper finishing by attackters just at box or scoring box to box goals; all these elements need good reform by Peseiro to make SE improved team; but if you (Peseiro) do not do these elements, you will not improve SE then the team will drown in a deep well.
Those blaming the coach don’t watch the match bcos he is doing well, our team now play with purpose with the addition of the other regulars they will only get better
Was at the game and can tell you guys Nigeria is dwindling. Some players are not worth being in that team. I feel sorry for the coach. We need better players. The only excuse I can make is probably the players are tired from playing a long season
The question still remains. Why sack Rohr?