Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has shed light on the reasoning behind his selection of a 25-man squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite having the option to pick 27 players for the competition, the Portuguese tactician opted for a roster of 25 players, a decision made in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Peseiro expressed agreement with the NFF’s choice, emphasizing that managing 25 players would be more manageable for him.
“The number is from the Nigeria Football Federation. NFF decided to take 25 players. I agreed; twenty-five players are enough to manage. Since the first moment, NFF decided to take 25 players,” Peseiro conveyed to the Super Eagles media.
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He elaborated on the selection process, mentioning a preliminary list of 41 players from which the final 25 were chosen. Peseiro considered factors such as players’ performances in both club and national team contexts. He also emphasized the importance of current form and sought to ensure a balanced composition across different playing positions.
“We tried to coordinate these characteristics and these solutions for our system, for our game,” Peseiro explained.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to commence their camp for the AFCON in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday. Drawn into Group A alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, the three-time African champions will kick off their campaign against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14, at the Alssanne Quattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.