'Last coach left because the fans complained' - Peseiro insists Super Eagles play offensive football

Nigeria are three points away from securing progression to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on matchday four of the qualifiers on Monday, March 27.

Moses Simon's winning goal on the half-hour mark ensured the Super Eagles returned to the top of Group A with nine points. 

Despite having in their ranks some of the exciting strikers on the books of European clubs such as Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Ademola Lookman and Paul Onuachu, the Super Eagles' attack has been ineffective in the last three games with only two goals scored including one from open play. 

Portuguese football tactician Jose Peseiro has played down the Super Eagles' recent struggles in attack and insisted that the team is playing more offensively now compared to when Gernot Rohr was in charge.

Just like the first leg, Peseiro highlighted that the Super Eagles were not clinical in front of goal but stressed that he's delighted with his side's playing style. 

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Peseiro stated : "On Friday our team was much better than Guinea-Bissau. Like today, we created many opportunities. Today the pitch was much better than in Abuja.

"Our team plays offensive game, before there were complains the team was defensive and don't play offensive football. Now, we try to develop our organization with offensive process. 

"We lost many opportunities , I think in both matches we deserve to beat them but not 1-0, 5-1 in the first match and today 5 or 6-0. Guinea-Bissau did not even create one opportunity.

"This is the football I like with quality, ball possession, create opportunities. Of course our mistake today was the finishing but it can happen.

"In this moment, I am happy. I don't speak about the result because we lost against Guinea-Bissau - about the model, organization.

"We showed everybody quality football, with the passes, control and two strikers. We tried to play in attack every time, sometimes we could not."

Peseiro claims that Rohr was relieved of his duties as Super Eagles coach because of his negative approach to the game. 

"Today, we tried to play an offensive game the fans like. Last coach left because the fans complained about that. Now I want to play nice football because you can create more opportunities.

"We had good games on Friday and today but the finishing wasn't fantastic, but we have good players. We have the best scorer now in Europe."

For the return leg, Peseiro made five changes to the side that lost 1-0 in Abuja, bringing in Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi and Moses Simon. 

He made two changes at halftime in Abuja and also made a quick substitution in the second half on Monday.

Asked to share his thoughts on the changes, Peseiro answered : "The team showed fantastic team character, we believe in our players, our players believe in themselves.

"They entered the game, pressurizing without being afraid, they know the quality. With this pitch you can define more the last moment but we didn't do as much as I know we can do.

"Our mentality is to attack consistently but in the last moment my team was unlucky in the first and second match.

"I accept that my players missed many opportunities. It is important for us to beat Guinea today.

"We tried to defend our goal but I prefer attack . If you beat Guinea today 5-0, it's a fair result."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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