Super Eagles Coach Admit ‘4-0 Loss to Portugal was too Much’
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has admitted that his team’s 4-0 defeat to his home country Portugal in Thursday’s friendly game was too much.
A first-half brace from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and second-half goals from Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario earned Portugal the deserved win.
The Eagles had the chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot when debutant Bright Osayi-Samuel was brought down.
But Emmanuel Dennis saw his effort stopped by Rui Patricio.
The game was Portugal’s final warm-up fixture before heading to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
And reacting to the heavy defeat on NFF TV, Peseiro stated that the Eagle’s first-half performance was poor.
“Losing 4-0 was too much, we didn’t start well in the first half we didn’t show good organization and we didn’t pressure the opponent. It’s true the opponent has too much quality but like I said the first half was not good but the second half was much better.
“I believe in the second half we showed we can do better, we missed a penalty and conceded two more goals. We must improve because we want to win the next AFCON.“
And on Dennis missing the penalty awarded to the Eagles, Peseiro said: “We need to defend our players. Which player has not missed a penalty before? Any player can miss a penalty so Emmanuel Dennis has my support.“
