The contract of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro with the Super Eagles has expired, prompting discussions within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) about whether to extend his tenure or seek a new coach.
Despite guiding the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami has expressed a lack of confidence in Peseiro’s abilities.
The Super Eagles displayed a commendable performance throughout the tournament, reaching the final despite facing challenges prior to its commencement. However, they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the final match.
In recognition of their efforts, the players and staff were honored with the Member of the Order of the Niger title and received landed properties in the nation’s capital.
Peseiro’s contract was set to expire at the end of February, but negotiations for a new deal between him and the NFF fell through. On March 1, Peseiro announced via social media that his time with Nigeria had come to an end, expressing gratitude to the Super Eagles players and the NFF for their cooperation.
Following Peseiro’s departure, there has been speculation about whether the NFF should appoint a new coach or offer Peseiro an improved contract.
Odegbami, a Nigerian football legend, shared his perspective on the matter, expressing doubts about Peseiro’s capability to surpass his achievements with the Super Eagles.
For 22 months, he (Peseiro) did his best for Nigeria, but his best was obviously not good enough when the team was preparing to go for AFCON,” Odegbami told Arise TV.
“But through the four weeks of AFCON, there was relief because the team came up, started to do fairly well and got to the finals.
“He was handsomely rewarded in such a way that he created history. I don’t think any coach in the history of football has ever been that lavishly rewarded not for coming first, but for coming second.
“Peseiro insisted that his mandate was to get to the semi-final of the AFCON. For some of us, that was not good enough. Our dream for Nigerian football is to be among the best in the world.
“So, when you have someone whose ambition is to get to the semi-finals of an African cup, definitely he does not get to that mark.
“As far as we are concerned, he has done well, he has served the country, delivered on his own personal mandate, and has been handsomely rewarded. He should just take his largesse to his country and enjoy himself because for where we are heading, he can not deliver from what we saw at the AFCON,” the legendary Nigerian
With the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming, the NFF faces a pressing decision. Delaying the appointment of a new coach or the renewal of Peseiro’s contract could have adverse effects on the Super Eagles’ preparations.
