2023 Afcon qualifier: Ifeanyi Udeze faults Jose Peseiro changes against Sierra Leone

By Saheed Afolabi

Former international, Ifeanyi Udeze has faulted the substitutions made by Nigeria head coach, Jose Peseiro in the 3-2 win over Sierra Leone in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Sunday.

The Leone Stars came from two-goal down to cancel Victor Osimhen’s brace before Kelechi Iheanacho scored at the death of the encounter to snatch a late victory and guarantee their Super Eagles Afcon qualification in Monrovia.

The former international turned pundit queried Peseiro over making three changes at once, describing the move as unnecessary, while stressing that those changes effected by Peseiro almost cost the Super Eagles the game.

“For me he made changes that were not necessary, he made three changes at once which for me was not necessary,” Udeze told Complete Sports.

“Those kind of changes is when you are down and you need fresh legs you can make three or four changes at once.

“You are leading and making three, four changes at once was necessary except when a player indicate he’s tired or injured then you can make the changes. For me those kind of changes doesn’t make sense.“

The win against the Leone Stars confirmed Nigeria’s place at the 2024 AFCON taking place in Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles tops group A of the AFCON qualifiers with 12 points from five matches.