Super Eagles coach Peseiro says their 2-0 defeat against Guinea in a 2023 AFCON warm-up game offered him a chance to test his players and tried two new formations.
The Portuguese tactician also stated that he was hoping to win the test game, but was happy his men played well despite losing to Guinea.
“We tested a new system today, 3-4-3. We did a very good first half, we were losing 1-0 then, but we deserved more,” he told NFF TV.
“We lost a penalty and missed two, three clear chances. We played very well and put the other team on the back foot, but we let in a goal through a mistake. But it’s better to make the mistakes now than later.”
He continued: “The second half was more balanced between the two teams. We lost the balance in the midfield against a team with speed and who played with counter attack.
“We played 4-3-3 later and they got three or four counter attack situations and they got the second goal.
“But I am happy because I changed the team, I didn’t play all the players, I tried to manage the team in these two matches.”
He singled out debutants Alhassan Yusuf and Stanley Nwabali for special mention, but refused to announce South Africa-based goalkeeper Nwabali as his No 1 for the AFCON.
“I know in my head the starting XI against Equatorial Guinea (on Sunday), but I keep it to myself,” he concluded.
By: Pascal Amoah
