Peseiro reveals reason behind the substitutions of Osimhen and Aribo in win vs Leone Stars
Published: June 18, 2023
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has explained why Victor Osimhen and Joe Aribo were substituted in the second half of the national team's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone on Sunday evening.
Nigeria have qualified for next year's tournament in Ivory Coast thanks to their 3-2 win over the Leone Stars, but they did it the hard way as they surrendered a two-goal lead before super-sub Kelechi Iheanacho tapped in the winner in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time.
Osimhen lobbed the ball past Sierra Leone goalkeeper Ibrahim Sessay into the net to break the deadlock after eighteen minutes, before pouncing on a defence- splitting pass from Aribo to double the advantage in the 32nd minute.
Peserio took almost everyone by surprise by handing a start to Aribo, who didn't play much in the second half of last season after falling out of favour at Southampton.
The Portuguese football tactician took off the Super Eagles number 10 in the 71st minute, with Osimhen also departing the action in the 81st minute.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Peserio revealed that the changes were injury-enforced.
"I try to improve the team. Of course, Aribo it was due to injury and asked to go out. Osimhen also felt something in the leg," Peseiro told reporters.
"The others I tried to give more power, energy and quality to fight till the end because Sierra Leone in that moment didn't create many opportunities but (later) they attacked and pressurized us and they did very well".
With his brace against Sierra Leone, Osimhen is now the outright top scorer in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with seven goals, two more than Bayern Munich's Senegal striker Sadio Mane.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Update on Osimhen's injury as Galatasaray striker joins Ajayi, Onyedika, Dele-Bashiru in treatment room
- Osimhen, Lookman, Ola Aina or Moses Simon: Who is the best Nigerian player at the moment?
- 'We have problems' - Southampton coach hints at Aribo playing centre-back against Chelsea
- 'Different type of player' - Parkin claims Iheanacho is not on the same level as Latte Lath
- 'Osimhen will score both goals' - Ex-Liverpool forward makes prediction on Galatasaray v Fenerbahce
- Confirmed team news: Nephew of former Super Eagles defender to miss Southampton v Chelsea
- Five European clubs monitoring PL-linked Onyedika after Club Brugge's historic CL run
- Nantes dazzler Moses Simon named in French Ligue 1 TOTW after sixth goal of the season
- What Kevin Akpoguma had to say after Gift Orban's goal salvaged a point for Hoffenheim
- Philip Otele: Basel's winter signing attracted interest from Arsenal as a teenager
Football News 24/7
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football