Why Nigeria Lost AFCON 2023 Final to Ivory Coast, Atiku's Aide Daniel Bwala Explains

• Barrister Daniel Bwala has said if he were the coach, he would have stuck to his plans of free flow and attack style
• Bwala said Nigeria trying to defend and see out the AFCON 2023 final match against the host country was not the wisest decision
• According to the PDP chieftain, "the coach’s tactics to defend and see out the match isn’t what we are known for"

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering sports and football.

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire - Daniel Bwala, an ally of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has blamed the Super Eagles of Nigeria's defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 final on Coach Jose Peseiro's defensive tactics.

Read also

JUST IN: Nigeria to beat Ivory Coast in AFCON 2023 final, CAF poll predicts

Hosts Ivory Coast beat favourites Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the AFCON 2023 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday, February 11.

Sébastien Haller scored the winning goal for the hosts in the 81st minute with an instinctive finish after excellent work from Simon Adingra on the wing.

Reacting to Nigeria's loss, Bwala said Coach Peseiro should have been more attacking-minded.

He wrote on his known X page:

"Super Eagles, you did well throughout the tournament. If I were the coach i would have stuck to my plans of free flow and attack style which has worked for me throughout the tournament than try to defend and see out the match knowing the home crowd would ginger the Ivorians to sustain the attack pressure.

Read also

AFCON 2023 final: How we will beat Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire's coach Fae speaks on winning formula

"The coach’s tactics to defend and see out the match isn’t what we are known for and wasn’t what we used throughout the tournament. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it."

What to read about Nigeria vs Ivory Coast:

• AFCON 2023 Final: Lagos govt shares 6 health tips as Nigeria confronts Ivory Coast
• How FG can take advantage of Super Eagles’ participation at AFCON 2023 to build Nigeria, CSO speaks
• AFCON 2023: North African experts predict team to win tournament

Super Eagles' Nwabali loses Golden Glove

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that first-choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2023, Stanley Nwabali, lost the Golden Glove award.

South Africa's Ronwen Williams scooped the award.

Source: Legit.ng