TheCable

Jose Peseiro, Super Eagles head coach, says the Nigerian people deserve to enjoy victory of the team over South Africa in the semi-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. 

On Wednesday, Nigeria defeated the Bafana Bafana 4-2 on penalties to qualify for the final of AFCON.

Both teams played out a one-all draw through the regular period and extra time. William Troost-Ekong had pulled the Eagles ahead in the 67th minute from the spot kick before Teboho Mokoena equalised with another penalty late in the game.

The victory sent Nigeria to the country’s first AFCON final since 2013.

Speaking at the post match press conference, Peseiro said the result was “a very good victory against a very good team”.

He then praised Bafana Bafana as the most organised team in the competition adding that “they created more problems for us than any other team we have faced.”

“The players are happy. They deserve it. We deserve it. The Nigerian people deserve it. It was a very good victory against a very good team,” Peseiro said.

“South Africa has the best organisation in this competition. Because they play together many times. Most of them also play together at Mamelodi Sundowns and for that they created more problems for us than any other team we have faced in this competition. It was difficult to beat them like I had expected.

“So, I say congratulations to the Super Eagles and also to the South African team.”

The Super Eagles will play Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday.