Jose Mourinho has expressed support for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in tonight’s AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Cote d’Ivoire and given his reasons.
The West African rivals go to battle tonight at the Alassane Outtara Stadium in Abijdan for Africa’s biggest sporting prize, with the showpiece set to kick off at 9pm Nigerian time.
One of the most successful coaches in European football history, Mourinho has a large following in Africa after handling Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester United, and has worked with numerous players of African descent.
The Portuguese cited his long friendship with his compatriot, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro, as the main reason he is rooting for Nigeria.
“My best friend in football is in the final. The Nigeria coach is my best friend. He grew up with me and we studied together,” Mourinho told Football.com in a short video posted on social media today.
“We went to the university the same day and we spent five years together every day. We left at the same time.
“He’s probably my biggest friend in football. Jose my big friend. This for him is a huge opportunity to make history because a Portuguese coach has never won the African Cup.”
Peseiro, 63, was appointed as Super Eagles head coach in May 2022, reportedly on the recommendation of Mourinho, who was believed to have been contacted by then Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick.
Incidentally, Mourinho also has a long-term friendship with his former player Didier Drogba, who is a former Cote d’Ivoire international.
