AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro Addresses Nigeria’s Scoring Struggles

As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations progresses to the quarterfinal stage, a new champion is set to emerge following the elimination of titleholders Senegal, as reported by Sportblog247.com.

Nigeria is gearing up for a highly-anticipated clash with Angola, one of the standout quarterfinal clashes in the tournament held in Cote d’Ivoire. Despite being the favorites, the Super Eagles must be cautious against the resilient Angolans, who boast a three-game winning streak, their best in the history of the tournament.

To navigate through the challenging landscape of the AFCON quarterfinals, Nduka Ugbade, a 1985 FIFA U17 World Cup winner, provides strategic insights into Nigeria’s approach.

“We have to move the ball as fast as we can, we must move the ball at the top of the can,” Ugbade emphasized during an interview with Brila FM. “Then our mental speed must be very high on the advance. In the midfield, we’ve been compact.”

Ugbade underscores the importance of a strong defensive strategy, urging the team to defend en masse while attacking with fewer men. He believes that scoring early will force Angola to adopt a more offensive stance.

Recognizing Angola’s tactical prowess, Ugbade advises Nigeria to counter their strengths and capitalize on weaknesses, particularly in set pieces and corners.

Angola aims to reach the AFCON semifinals for the first time in history, while Nigeria boasts a rich history of appearing in the semifinals 15 out of the 19 times they have qualified for the tournament.