I didn't want to renew - Super Eagles' Peseiro reveals rejecting new contract from Nigeria

Former Super Eagles boss José Peseiro on the sideline. || Imago

FOOTBALL I didn't want to renew - Super Eagles' Peseiro reveals rejecting new contract from Nigeria

I didn't want to renew - Super Eagles' Peseiro reveals rejecting new contract from Nigeria

Izuchukwu Akawor • 08:32 - 25.01.2024

Jose Peseiro is looking to help Nigeria Super Eagles win a fourth AFCON title in Cote d'Ivoire.

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has revealed he rebuffed an offer of a new contract, despite taking Nigeria to the round of 16 at the AFCON 2023. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that coach Peseiro shed more light on his choice during an interview with SportTV+ via record pt. 

Nigeria and Peseiro

After a shaky start at the 34th AFCON, the Portuguese has managed to guide Nigeria to the round of 16 in Cote d’Ivoire.

Speaking on the journey so far, the former Porto manager believes Nigeria is one of the pre-tournament favourites that have played well so far in a competition he describes as difficult. 

Jose Peseiro during the game against Equatorial Guinea
Jose Peseiro during the game against Equatorial Guinea. (Photo Credit: Imago)

"At the beginning of the competition, it was said that Senegal, Morocco, and Ivory Coast were the big favourites, and there were several other candidates: Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon,” he said. 

“Cape Verde and Angola have so far had a great competition as well. Only those who know the specificity of this competition understand the difficulty, the atmospheric conditions, the equality, the purity of the game," explained Peseiro further, emphasizing the challenges faced by the team.

The Super Eagles are through to the round of 16 at AFCON 2023.
The Super Eagles are through to the round of 16 at AFCON 2023. (Photo Credit: Imago)

On his Super Eagles future

However, addressing the future of his role as the head coach, Peseiro pointed out there has been "misleading information" circulating in Nigeria about his potential departure from the national team. 

"The difficulties are many, but I have never exposed them and I will not expose them. There is so much misleading information,” He clarified. 

Super Eagles boss, Jose Peseiro says he rejected a contract renewal from Nigeria.
Super Eagles boss, Jose Peseiro says he rejected a contract renewal from Nigeria. (Photo Credit: Modo Victor/X)

“Someone who was mentioned, he is not even a leader of the federation, a person I have never seen here, the Nigerian press, which is a crazy thing, spread it and then [Portugal] picked it up,” he added. 

“Will I continue to be at the front of the national team? I have a contract until the end of the CAN. I've been offered a renewal, but I didn't want to."

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Peseiro will focus all his attention on the AFCON 2023 round of 16, where his Super Eagles face a real battle against bitter rivals the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the weekend. 

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