Babatunji Wusu –
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is thinking of firing Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro.
Under the direction of coach Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles have displayed a great deal of inconsistency in both their on-field performance and outcomes.
In 15 games in all competitions since Peseiro took over as head coach of the national team in 2022, the Super Eagles have six losses and six victories to their name. The Eagles have given up 21 goals while his club has scored 31, with 10 of those goals coming in a single game versus Sao Tome and Principe.
While coach Jose Peseiro and his team easily qualified for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), they began their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in disgrace, drawing their first two games against lowly-ranked Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
To infuriate most Super Eagles fans even more, the Portuguese strategist has continued to rely on goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who has consistently made blunders in almost every game.
Shariff Ahlan, Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, informed Arewa Radio that the committee was on the verge of firing Jose Peseiro until the sports minister intervened and thwarted the plan.
He also said that the committee has begun the process of dismissing the Portuguese tactician and replacing him with a Nigerian coach, and that if he had his way, he would have fired Peseiro long ago.
If I have the last word on Peseiro’s destiny, it will take me less than a minute to fire him and replace him with a Nigerian,” the NFF technical committee head remarked.
“People are unaware that there have been improper interferences, and in most cases, there is little we as technical committee members can do.”
“We had previously resolved to let him go at any cost, but the sports minister intervened and pleaded for another lifeline on his behalf, but we are looking for a replacement, who will be a local coach.”
“We can now see what Falcons coach Matt Ryan is doing with the team.” Nigerians must have patience. If any of these Nigerian coaches are given the chance, they can perform admirably; it just needs time.”
“We sat with Peseiro in Lisbon and asked why he invited four goalkeepers and chose to use Uzoho for the two games without trying out others,” the committee chairman said of Jose Peseiro’s faith in goalkeeper Uzoho.
Uzoho is his team’s second choice, yet he doesn’t even play, let alone perform. We’ve played multiple games with him and he keeps making mistakes, so why keep using him?”
