Head coach of the Nigerian head Jose Peseiro credited Cote d’Ivoire for being the better team on Sunday after the hosts came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory in the finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’ivoire 2023 in Ebimpe.
The Super Eagles after being well on course to a fourth TotalEnergies AFCON gold medal were edged by the hosts who showed character in coming back from a goal down.
Speaking after the match, the Portuguese international who was coaching in his first TotalEnergies AFCON said he was sad that his team could not go all the way but conceded to his opponents being the better side on the night.
“They were better than us today, they managed the pressure better, they did a remarkable job. My team did not play at the same level. My team is sad but for me they did what they could.
“We conceded goals from a few defensive errors, and we dropped the tempo against the Ivorians. But I am proud of the way my players performed in this tournament”, concluded the coach.
William Troost-Ekong, who scored Nigeria’s only goal of the match was awarded the TotalEnergies Best Player of the Tournament award.
