In an exclusive interview with FIVEUK, former Roma coach Jose Mourinho has expressed his confidence in his compatriot, Jose Peseiro, to carve out a historic achievement with the Nigerian Super Eagles at the ongoing AFCON 2023 tournament held in Ivory Coast.
Mourinho, renowned for his tactical prowess in football management, highlighted the significance of this opportunity for Peseiro, emphasizing that no Portuguese coach has ever clinched the African Cup. “Jose (Peseiro), my big friend, has a huge opportunity to make history because never has a Portuguese coach won the African Cup,” Mourinho stated.
Revealing a deep personal connection with Peseiro, Mourinho shared anecdotes from their shared journey in football. “The Nigerian coach is my best friend. He grew up with me. We studied together… He is probably my biggest friend in football,” Mourinho reminisced, underscoring the strong bond between the two.
Seeking their fourth title, Nigeria aims to match the trophy tally of their arch-rivals Ghana, with only Egypt and Cameroon boasting more Cup of Nations victories. Conversely, Ivory Coast eyes their opportunity to secure their third title, with their last triumph dating back to 2015.