Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has ordered his players to switch off their mobile phones from 9pm daily, as this directive comes after some of the players were seen playing game ‘Call of Duty’ on X.
Peseiro, it was learnt, made the call to avoid distractions and enable his players remain focused ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Wednesday.
“The players have been told to put off their phones from 9pm to rest well and avoid distractions of any form by the coach,” a camp source told our correspondent.
“The coach has also stayed away from the media as he intensifies preparations for the match against South Africa.”
The Eagles were the first side to book a semi-final berth at the ongoing AFCON after Ademola Lookman’s first-half goal ensured a 1-0 win over Angola in the last eight last Friday.
Lookman finished off a flying run down the left by winger Moses Simon, who skipped the challenge of defender Kialonda Gaspar to break free and then teed up the Atalanta forward for his third goal of the tournament.
The win saw the Eagles qualify for their 16th AFCON semi-final where they face South Africa on Wednesday and been elevated to the role of favourites at a tournament where all the top contenders have been eliminated.
Nigeria have been crowned AFCON champions on three occasions with their last triumph coming 11 years ago. The Eagles have also finished third on eight occasions, most recently in 2019.
Both sides have met 14 times with Nigeria winning seven games, drawn five and lost just two.
