We're searching for Peserio's replacement and it'll be a local coach - NFF reveals

We're searching for Peserio's replacement and it'll be a local coach - NFF reveals

Hassan Abdulsalam 11:23 - 28.11.2023

The NFF is not pleased with the performance of the Super Eagles under Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro and remains desperate to replace him.

The chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Shariff Ahlan, has revealed that indigenous coaches are better than foreign-based coach the Super Eagles currently have.

Coach Jose Peseiro-led Super Eagles have produced many poor performances in recent times, especially in the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to beat Lesotho at home and traveled to Zimbabwe to pick up just one point after falling behind. 

Before the World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles had failed to beat Saudi Arabia, playing out a 2-2 draw in an international friendly, while managing to beat Mozambique 3-2 in another friendly match.

Jose Peseiro and the Super Eagles

Since taking over the Eagles in 2022, Jose Peseiro has won six and lost six in his 15 games with the Super Eagles. 

The Portuguese coach has seen the three-time African champions score 31 goals (ten of which came in a single game against Sao Tome and Principe) while conceding 21 goals.

Although he has qualified Nigeria for the Africa Nations Cup in Ivory Coast, Peseiro's team is trailing South Africa and Rwanda in the running to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

We are desperate to hire a local coach - Ahlan

In an interview with Arewa Radio, Ahlan said that they were not pleased with the performance of the Super Eagles under the Portuguese and are desperate to hire a local coach.

He said, "People do not know that there have been undue interferences, and in most instances, there is only little we as technical committee members can do.

"We had once resolved to let him go at all cost, but the sports minister weighed in and pleaded for another lifeline on his behalf. We are in search of a replacement, and it will be a local coach.

"Now we can see what the Falcons coach is doing with the team. Nigerians must be patient. If all these Nigerian coaches are given the opportunity, they can perform well; it only takes time."

It remains to be seen if Jose Peseiro will get the boots and an indigenous coach like Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday Oliseh, or Austin Eguavoen will be handed the responsibility of leading the Super Eagles of Nigeria.  

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