'Winning AFCON will be a highlight of my career' - Peseiro eyes history with Nigeria

Jose Peseiro has admitted that winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be a highlight of his career. 

Nigeria are aiming to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the fourth time and come up against Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan on Sunday night, with the hosts targeting the third title in their history. 

Former Venezuela and Saudi Arabia manager Peseiro would become the first-ever Portuguese manager to win the Africa Cup of Nations if the Super Eagles prevail in tonight's showpiece. 

Peseiro's career highlights so far as coach include winning the Segunda Divisão with Nacional in 1999-2000, Taça da Liga with Braga in 2012-2013 and the Egyptian Premier League with African giants Al Ahly in 2015-2016.

The Super Eagles were in a mess defensively before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations but Peseiro has worked wonders since the start of the tournament in Ivory Coast and the three-time African champions were on the brink of keeping five clean sheets in a row before conceding in the 90th minute against South Africa. 

When asked to reveal the main difference to other finals he coached in the past, Peseiro said to Portuguese sports daily O Jogo: "This is very important for us. We made a sporting and not a financial bet, reaching a final like this is important in terms of investment in our career.

"They can't tell us anything about what we've done so far. We want to win this final, it's good for everyone. Winning (the AFCON) will be a highlight of my career."

When Nigeria faced Ivory Coast in the group stage, the Super Eagles emerged 1-0 victors with William Troost-Ekong scoring the winner from the spot in the 55th minute. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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