Jose Peseiro, the manager of the Super Eagles, emphasized that his focus is on countering the overall threat posed by South Africa’s team, rather than dwelling on the remarkable penalty-saving skills of Ronwen Williams. As Nigeria gears up for the Africa Cup of Nations semifinal clash with Bafana Bafana, who have not conceded in their last four games, Peseiro remains determined to guide his team to victory.

Williams, the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, made history by saving four penalties in a single AFCON shootout against Cape Verde, setting the stage for a challenging encounter with Nigeria. When questioned about Williams’ feat, Peseiro expressed his concentration on the collective opponent, stating, “We observe the opponent, we want to beat them in the 90 minutes, 120 minutes, or penalties.”

Having declared his ambition to win the AFCON since his appointment as Super Eagles manager in 2022, Peseiro recognizes the difficulty posed by South Africa, a team that has proven resilient in their recent matches. While expressing the importance of clinching the AFCON title, Peseiro emphasized the immediate task at hand, stating, “More important now is beating South Africa, which is our focus. It will be a tough match against a good team.”

With preparations underway, the Super Eagles have initiated recovery sessions, ensuring players are in optimal condition for the upcoming semifinal. Peseiro highlighted the significance of comprehensive preparation, emphasizing the need for players to “recover well on and off the pitch, rest well, sleep well, and eat well” to ensure they are at their best against South Africa. As Peseiro remains two games away from AFCON glory, his dedication to the immediate challenge is evident in his approach to the crucial semifinal showdown.