Jose Peseiro, the coach of the Super Eagles, conceded that after Nigeria’s defeat in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, the Elephants of Ivory Coast were superior.

In the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, hosts Ivory Coast overcame a 2-1 deficit to defeat Nigeria thanks to a thrilling late goal from Sebastien Haller.

Peseiro, who was leading Nigeria to its first final since 2013, acknowledged that the hosts were superior that evening in remarks made following the game.

“Ivory Coast were better than us today,” Peseiro admitted in a post-match interview. “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.”