Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has defended his choice of including Daniel Bamaiyi into his team for the 2023 AFCON double header against Super Eagles Guinea Bissau
Nigeria host the top-of-the-table fixture first leg on Friday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, while Monday, March 27, is fixed for the second leg at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.
The inclusion of the Flying Eagles captain who was scouted from a non-league club, had generated a lot of negative comments from critics and fans alike, but the Portuguese while reacting to questions during the presser gave his reasons for his choice.
"There are many players, it's not easy to choose from. If I choose many foreign based I must choose from local clubs too. I watched many games and I have evaluated players performances. I chose him because he is a good defender." The Portuguese tactician said.
He added, "I believe in his quality in that position. He's a utility player who can play in different positions at the back.
"It's not easy building a national team as there are many good players. If I choose one it means he is better than others." He concluded
Nigeria currently top the 2023 AFCON qualifier Group A standings with 6 points from two games, while Guinea-Bissau sits in 2nd spot with 4 points from the same number of games.
Following the 2-2 draw in FreeTown, Sierra Leone are still 3rd in the group with 3 point while Sao Tome and Principe who seat 4th on the gtoup, earn it's first point on Wednesday.
The last time both teams met was in the group stage of the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon, and Nigeria won 2-0 with goals from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong