The future of Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro now remains uncertain as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) hesitates over extending his one-year contract, which expires today, 30th June.
Peseiro was appointed as the new head coach of the Super Eagles by the previous board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by Amaju Pinnick, on 15th May 2022. However, his position was thrown into uncertainty last week after the incumbent president, Ibrahim Gusau, stated on a radio program that Nigerians would determine the fate of the Portuguese coach through a unique voting arrangement on social media platforms and phones.
Jose Peseiro Contract
Tijani Babangida, the President of the Professional Players’ Union of Nigeria, described the NFF’s approach to Peseiro as strange earlier this week. He stated that the employment of national team coaches falls within the purview of the NFF President and his board. Babangida expressed hope that Nigeria would choose the best option but questioned the unprecedented decision to allow public voting.
Babangida further suggested that the NFF President should make the decision based on Peseiro’s performance and whether he can lead the team to greater heights, including the next AFCON tournament.
While Peseiro recently guided the Super Eagles to a 3-2 away win against Sierra Leone, securing their berth in the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, critics have questioned the team’s performance under his leadership. Some have pointed out his heavy reliance on foreign-based professionals without integrating players from the domestic league.
Christian Chukwu, a former Nigeria international and Super Eagles coach, emphasized the need for Peseiro’s contract to be reviewed. Chukwu suggested that Peseiro should stay in Nigeria to monitor players in the local league and discover talented individuals, similar to how Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof succeeded in Nigeria. Chukwu expressed his dissatisfaction with Peseiro’s limited involvement with the home-based players.
A respected football federation and former NFF chieftain criticized the current approach of the NFF, stating that the board’s decision to ask fans to vote before making a decision on Peseiro’s future shows their lack of direction and responsibility.
While many football stakeholders believe that the NFF’s handling of Peseiro’s contract lacks transparency, fans across Nigeria have expressed their desire for the Portuguese coach to be replaced. However, whether the NFF will ultimately take this route remains to be seen.
Here are the Super Eagles‘ results under Jose Peseiro:
AFCON QUALIFIERS
- 9th June 2022: Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone
- 13th June 2022: São Tomé & PrÃncipe 0-10 Nigeria
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
- 29th May 2022: Mexico 2-1 Nigeria
- 3rd June 2022: Ecuador 1-0 Nigeria
- 27th Sept 2022: Algeria 2-1 Nigeria
- 17th Nov 2022: Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
AFCON QUALIFIERS
- 20th March 2023: Nigeria 0-1 Guinea-Bissau
- 27th March 2023: Guinea-Bissau 0-1 Nigeria
- 18th June 2023: Sierra Leone 2-3 Nigeria
OUTSTANDING
- 4th Sept 2023: Nigeria vs São Tomé & PrÃncipe
