Peseiro Hails Players Despite Defeat To Algeria, Speaks On Officiating New Players

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro says his players did their best despite the defeat to Algeria in Tuesday’s friendly encounter.

Peseiro’s charges started the game on a good note with Lorient striker Terem Moffi firing them into the lead in the ninth minute.

The Desert Foxes equalised from the penalty spot through Riyadh Mahrez three minutes before the break

Defender, Youcef Atal netted the winning goal from a long-range effort 20 minutes from time.

“It was a good game, the camping showed the quality of our players and their collective effort. It was a hard match, Algeria is good team. Our players try to do what I ask them to do in training,” Peseiro told NFF TV.

“It is possible you lose in football, I’m sad we lost. I don’t like to lose any match but I am very happy with the performance of my players. They did well in the game.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t win the game, but I’m happy with the performance of my players.”

Godwin Saviour and Rapheal Onyedika made their first appearance for the Super Eagles in the game.

Saviour replaced the ineffective Ademola Lookman in the 65th minute, while Onyedika took the place of Frank Onyeka late on.

Peseiro shared his thoughts on the performance of the duo.

“Raphael and Godwin played for the first time with the national team. They did well,” he remarked.

“I called nine players I don’t really know before. Players who have not played with me before but some of them have played with the national team.

“Players we are just working with for the first time. Everybody played. Good job all around.”

The Super Eagles were denied a clear goal in the first half and many also questioned the penalty awarded to the Algerians.

Peseiro stated that the centre referee was wrong to disallow the goal.

“Everybody makes mistakes. I and the players can make mistakes. We scored a goal that was disallowed,” he argued.

“The penalty I could accept. He shoot the ball before Frank caught him. We must accept. There was no offside when we scored. It should have been 2-0 to us at that point.

“My team fought hard and created opportunities. A draw would have been a fair result. Congratulations to Algeria.Fantastic atmosphere, and a good match.

It was a good experience for us. Algerians supported their team. It’s good for us to know where we are and move on from there.”

Former Venezuela and Saudi Arabia gaffer also reflected on his experience with the players in camp.

“I am happy with the camping what I can say is that is not easy to have a good understanding, good organisation without training,” Peseiro stated.

“We spent eight days in camp everyone try to do the maximum. You try to input more dynamism and more organisation.

“It was another opportunity to know the players more, know the team generally and the new players. Create more understanding in the team, work more to build cohesion in our game.”

Peseiro also explained where his team need to improve in subsequent games.

“We didn’t do well in attack at times, I think we can do better in that phase. We can improve our game generally. We did well defensively but we can do more offensively. Control the ball more, show more character and fight really hard.

“We need to improve our organisation, put new dynamics. We need to work more. We have quality players but we need to. improve in the area of the organization”

The 60-year-old also revealed his desire and targets for the future.

“I am more confident than before, we lost but I have more confidence in this team,” Peseiro hinted.

The players must do well in their clubs, my staff see many matches every week.
They watch the players extensively. It’s not easy to he in the national team.

“You need quality, commitment and adapt well too. Sacrifice and have good commitment.

“I’m sad with the result but we did well. We want to win the next AFCON. First, we must qualify and play quality-friendly matches and have more camping.

“We want to have a solid team. We have a good team and we want to improve. Everybody must work together. Myself, my staff and the NFF. We can play at the highest level.”