DZWatch Exclusive: National team coach Vladimir Petkovic has acknowledged Nigeria’s superior performance following their victory over Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final. In a post-match press conference, Petkovic admitted that the Nigerian team was the better side and deserved to advance to the semi-finals.
“Congratulations to Nigeria,” Petkovic stated. “They were better than us, especially in the first half. We were too scattered, and the second half was slightly better, but not enough.”
The Algerian coach elaborated on the team’s struggles during the first half, citing a lack of focus and cohesion among the players. This allowed the Nigerian team to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. “Our first-half performance was simply not up to par,” he emphasized.
While there was a noticeable improvement in the second half, Petkovic conceded that it wasn’t sufficient to match their opponents or overturn the deficit. The coach’s candid assessment reflects the disappointment felt by Algerian fans, but also underscores the need for a thorough evaluation of the team’s performance and future strategies. The focus now shifts to analyzing the shortcomings and preparing for upcoming international fixtures.
