'They know the team is more important' - Peseiro explains why Iheanacho, Musa, Moffi, 5 others have not played 

Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro was on media duties at the Palais de la Culture, Abidjan on Sunday to preview his side's last group game against Guinea-Bissau at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The Portuguese has taken 25 players to the 2023 AFCON including Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu and Kelechi Iheanacho who did not travel with the team from the Abu Dhabi camp in United Arab Emirates. 

Of the players named in the final squad, eight players have not received playing opportunities after two matches at the AFCON, namely Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, Ahmed Musa, Moffi, Iheanacho and two goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, who has missed out on the gameday squad in back-to-back games. 

Looking at the negative side of things, Nigeria could be potentially knocked out of the tournament on Monday should they lose by a big margin to Guinea-Bissau and the other results don't go their way. 

When asked if it's something he wants to achieve by giving game time to all the players he has called up for the AFCON, Peseiro answered: "Till now we have not played Uzoho, Ojo, Chidozie, Bruno Onyemaechi, Onyedika, Ahmed, Kelechi and Moffi - eight players. 

"I would like to put all of them, even if the referee allows me I put 25 on the pitch but he doesn't allow.

"The main point here and my players know is our team, Super Eagles. Our responsibility is to beat Guinea-Buissau, not give chance to one player because all the players deserve it, they work very well in the camp. 

"We create a good atmosphere. There is happiness, they know the team is more important.

"I believe in all of them but need to choose 11, I believe in the 25 players. For tomorrow I get to choose the best 11 in my opinion. 

"They deserve to play but I cannot replace more than five, cannot start more than 11. Everybody is focused every time, for that they do the same training - the same set piece, the same combination, the same moments."

Four Nigeria players have played every single minute at the ongoing AFCON - Troost-Ekong, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi and Frank Onyeka.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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