Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro says his players were not at their best in Sunday’s defeat to Cote d’Ivoire.

Peseiro’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat to the hosts in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead with a header from a corner-kick in the 37th minute.

Cote d’Ivoire however fought back after the break with goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller.

Peseiro claimed after the game that his players failed to replicate their previous performance in the competition.

“My players did their best in this tournament, Cote d’Ivoire played better than us in this game. We didn’t show our level,” Peseiro said during his interaction with the media after the game.

“The performance on individual and collective level was not good enough for us.

“Cote d’Ivoire played better than us. They played really well. I wanted to win this trophy, my players wanted the trophy as well. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t do it.

“I’m sad, my players are sad too. The performance was not good enough but I can’t fault them. They gave their best in this tournament.

“These things happen in football. Sometimes things don’t go your way.”