Nigeria should aim higher than AFCON bronze - Peseiro says 2023 was a bigger achievement

Former Super Eagles head coach José Peseiro has dismissed Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting that reaching the final in 2023 remains a more important accomplishment.

Peseiro, who guided Nigeria to the final of the 2023 tournament, saw his side narrowly lose 2-1 to the hosts, the Ivory Coast.

Despite the defeat, the run marked Nigeria’s first AFCON final appearance since their triumphant 2013 campaign.

Speaking from Portugal, the former coach stressed that Nigeria’s status as a football powerhouse demands higher expectations than a third-place finish.

He said, “Nigeria is a major footballing power in Africa, and every tournament brings high expectations. You are expected to reach the AFCON final, and we accomplished that two years ago, our best finish in a long time.”

Under current head coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal after an impressive campaign that won admiration for its attacking style.