By Abubakar Yunusa
Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, says he wants the Super Eagles of Nigeria to lift the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Mourinho spoke in a chat with FIVE UK in a yet-to-be-released episode.
Nigeria will play the hosts in the final of the 34th edition of AFCON at the Olympic Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.
Speaking on the match, Mourinho said he is supporting the Eagles because of Jose Peseiro, the team’s head coach.
He described Peseiro as his “best friend”, adding that they grew up together and attended the same university, where they “spent five years together every day”.
The former Inter Milan manager added that he wants Peseiro to be the first Portuguese manager to win the AFCON.
“My best friend in football is in the final. The Nigerian coach is my best friend — he grew up with me,” Mourinho said.
“We studied together. We went to the university at the same time. We spent five years together every day. We left at the same time. He is probably my biggest friend in football. Jose, my big friend. It will be a huge opportunity for him to make history. Never has a Portuguese coach won the AFCON.”
Nigeria will face Cote d’Ivoire in the AFCON final, which starts at 9 pm.