Jose Peseiro used four players from the home-based NPFL in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 friendly loss to Mexico
New Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has lauded the performance of the home-based players in Sunday’s friendly with Mexico.
Peseiro took charge of his first match with the Nigerian senior squad in a friendly with the El Tri at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday losing by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Mexicans took the lead in the 12th minute through Santiago Gimenez. In-form striker Cyriel Dessers scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in the 54th minute but William Troost-Ekong conceded an own goal just two minutes later to hand the hosts the victory.
Coach Peseiro showed faith in the invited local-based players invited to the camp, fielding Enyimba forward Victor Mbaoma, Katsina United midfielder Sani Faisal and Rivers United duo Rafiu Ishaq and Chiamaka Madu as substitutes in the second half.
According to the former press officer of the Super Eagles Colin Udoh, coach Peseiro admitted that he was impressed by the performance of the players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
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Udoh took to his personal Twitter account to state coach Peseiro’s comments about the NPFL players and the general match at the post-match press conference after the game with Mexico.
Peseiro said: “They (NPFL players) came and they played very well. We can’t hide it, they had 2 players in front controlling our 5 at the back.”
The Super Eagles’ next match is another international friendly with Ecuador on Friday, June 3 at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
Afterward, the Nigerian senior team will kick off their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) qualifiers at home against Sierra Leone on June 9 before traveling to Mauritius six days later for their second wudoi
