Peseiro: We must beat the best to become champions

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has said his side must be ready to face the best teams on the continent it they want to emerge champions at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria is gunning for its fourth title but must first overcome the obstacle of hosts Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.

“If we want to win the AFCON we must be ready to face any team. Cote d’Ivoire , Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau are good teams. If we want to win the AFCON, we have to win the group,”Peseiro told reporters after the Super Eagles friendly against Saudi Arabia in Portimao, Portugal on Friday night.

“It is not going to be easy because in a tournament anything can happen . You need to put a lot things in place. You need focus in a short tournament like this.

“We want to win this group and qualify for the next phase.But first we have to play Lesotho and Zimbabwe. We must be at the next World Cup.”

The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the 2023 AFCON finals against Equatorial Guinea at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe on January 14, 2024.

Ivory Coast will host the competition from January 13 to February 11.