AFCON Final: Super Eagles Set to Return to Abuja After Losing to Ivory Coast

• The Super Eagles are set to land in the country after their outing in the just concluded AFCON tournament
• Reports disclosed that the Eagles will depart Abidjan for Abuja on Tuesday, February 13, and a warm reception has been organised for them
• Meanwhile, four of the players based in England have already returned to their bases directly from Cote d’Ivoire

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will arrive in Abuja on Tuesday, February 13, from Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

This was made known on Monday, February 12, by the team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, Vanguard reported.

According to Raji, the AFCON 2023 silver medallists and other officials will leave their Pullman Hotel base to the airport at 1pm local time and 2pm Nigerian time.

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The team will depart from Abidjan to Abuja at 2.45pm local time, which is 3.45pm Nigerian time.

Score Nigeria reported that four of the players based abroad have returned to England, and the rest of the team is coming on a chattered flight as a reception awaits the players and officials in Abuja.

This is coming about one month after the team left Lagos for the Ivorian commercial capital, Channels TV reported.

Ivory coast played better, Nigerian coach says

Recall that the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to the Elephants in the final of the apex continental football competition on Sunday night at the Olympic Stadium, Abidjan. Nigeria won five games, drew one, and lost the only one on Sunday.

However, the coach, Jose Peseiro, admitted that Ivory Coast was the better side in the 2023 AFCON final played in Abidjan.

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Peseiro, in a post-match interview, said:

“Ivory Coast were better than us today. I am sad, my team is sad, but for me, they did the maximum, each one. Sometimes you want to do something but you cannot do it.”

AFCON final loss: Peseiro no longer with Super Eagles

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Jose Peseiro's contract as the Super Eagles coach expired following the conclusion of the CAF AFCON 2023 tournament.

According to OwnGoalNigeria.com, the option of a two-year-old deal after meeting the semi-final target is up to Peseiro to decide on.

The Portuguese tactician led Nigeria to the AFCON final, where the Super Eagles lost to the Elephant of Cote Divoire, the host nation.

Source: Legit.ng