Held in check on Sunday in their first Group A game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023, Nigeria did not succeed in starting off in the fashion they would have loved.

But beyond the slightly disappointing result, Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro is satisfied with the performance of his players.

“We hoped to win this match and we did everything to win. Our team was better than that of Equatorial Guinea but we lacked luck,” he said.

"I am not happy. I deserved to win, this draw doesn't suit us. Our team created a lot of chances but we didn't score. We hope that next time, even with fewer opportunities, we will score. We simply have to improve our finishing,” he said.

Nigeria will face hosts Côte d’Ivoire, for their second game. The match scheduled for Thursday at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe at 17h00 GMT will be decisive for the Super Eagles, who have almost no room for error.