Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro says he would be surprised if he was fired following the team’s shock defeat to Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles succumbed to a 1-0 loss in front of their fans in Abuja on Friday, thanks to Mama Balde’s goal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
As a result, Nigeria slipped down to the second spot on the Group A standings – a point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau with three matches left.
The Portuguese tactician spoke to the media including after the game which was played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Discussing what went wrong for his side, Peseiro said the Super Eagles were unfortunate not to convert the chances that they created.
“First of all congratulations to Guinea-Bissau. We missed many goals, we could have been here for another hour and not score, sometimes it happens in football,” Peseiro told reporters at the post-match press conference.
“I’m not happy of course, I am sad like my team but they did the maximum. We created many, many clear opportunities but it was a bad day. If we played in the way we played today, we (are supposed to) beat Guinea-Bissau.
“Guinea-Bissau were lucky and very bad luck for us.”
The Portuguese gave a defiant response when he was asked to react to speculation that he could be sacked.
“I don’t understand why I will be sacked. We are still in a position to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. In the first half, we created many opportunities.
“Of course, today, Osimhen, Moses, Ndidi and Osayi-Samuel could not score but I believe this team is much better than this result.”
When asked if he will be surprised if he’s fired following the loss to Guinea-Bissau, Peseiro replied:
“I would be surprised if I’m sacked now. In today’s game in the first 30 minutes, we created chances, but the likes of [Victor] Osimhen, [Samuel] Chukwueze and [Wilfred] Ndidi could not score.
“But I believe my team played better than the results reflect, so for me, it’s a joke to talk about sacking me.”
The Super Eagles will look to avenge the defeat to the African Wild Dogs when the two teams meet at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday.