Alex Iwobi has disclosed how a challenging start at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations prompted former head coach Jose Peseiro to alter the team’s formation.
The West African team began the tournament with a less than stellar performance, managing to secure a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.
Subsequently, Peseiro implemented a defensive 3-5-2 formation, leading the Super Eagles to clinch a hard-fought 1-0 victory against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in their second group match.
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Remaining committed to this formation, the Portuguese coach guided the Super Eagles to the final, where they ultimately suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire.
“We felt it was a fortunate escape. Following that, the manager opted for a more defensive approach, deploying five at the back, and our next match was against the host nation who had just won,” Iwobi revealed to Fulham FC.
“With confidence soaring, we believed that the formation was effective. We secured victory in the subsequent game, progressed to the next round, and everyone was optimistic about our prospects.
“Although we reached the final and felt we could defeat the host nation once more, it simply wasn’t our fate.”