AFCON 2023 final: Why Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast – Peseiro

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has said his players were not at their best in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast.

Nigeria lost 2-1 to the hosts on Sunday.

The Elephants, who dominated the game rallied from a goal down to win the keenly contested encounter.

The Portuguese, who praised Cote d’Ivoire for their exemplary display said his players struggled in the game.

“My players did their best in this tournament, Cote d’Ivoire played better than us in this game. We didn’t show our level.

“The performance on individual and collective level was not good enough for us.

“Cote d’Ivoire played better than us. They played really well. I wanted to win this trophy, my players wanted to the trophy as well. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t do it.

“I’m sad, my players are sad too. The performance was not good enough but I can’t fault them. They gave their best in this tournament.

“These things happen in football. Sometimes things don’t go your way.”