Kenneth Omeruo blames Jose Peseiro’s tactics for AFCON 2023 final defeat to Cote d’Ivoire

By Wale Mustapha

 Nigeria defender, Kenneth Omeruo has hit out at Jose Peseiro’s tactical approach in their 2-1 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

The Super Eagles surrendered a first half lead courtesy of William Troost-Ekong’s header to lose the cup to host country who scored twice in the second half.

Peseiro deployed a more defensive approach which has being his style since inception of the tournament but failed to work out for the three-times African winners.

Omeruo who was close to make history as one of two Nigerian players to have won AFCON twice, feels that the Super Eagles were too defensive against Ivory Coast, while expressing his disappointment over the team’s inability to win the tournament.

“I think we were defending from the start of the game, and it is a long time to play defensive,” the 2013 Afcon winner told media.

“One mistake and there is a goal. Already when you are defending from the start the team is already tired.

“For me, I feel bad that we did not get the trophy.”