Tag: Peseiro

• Iheanacho, Onuachu out

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro may start Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman ahead of Moses Simon in Saturday’s AFCON Group A opening clash against Equatorial Guinea.

Lookman is a second striker at his Serie A club and that has explained his good numbers – 13 goals last season and already 7 goals this term.

He is often played as a winger by the Super Eagles and his numbers have been far less impressive.

Moses Simon was one of the stars at the last AFCON in Cameroon.

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Meanwhile, there was no sighting of late arrivals Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu for the Super Eagles final work out before tomorrow’s AFCON Group A clash against Equatorial Guinea.

Coach Jose Peseiro announced that both strikers have joined the squad in Abidjan, but neither was involved in today’s training session.

That effectively ruled both players out of the opening match. Otherwise, all the other players on the squad trained fully.

The session was for two hours and the team will have another hour of recovery subsequently.

• Portuguese coach confirms Iheanacho for Cote d’Ivoire

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro s has taken positives from  the performance of his players despite losing 2-0 to Guinea in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations warm-up friendly on Monday in Abu Dhabi.

Goals from Aguibou Camara and Facinet Conte in between a penalty miss from Moses Simon means Nigeria heads into their AFCON opener against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday on a rocky patch.

Regardless of the defeat, Peseiro said he was pleased with the outing of his boys especially the way they adapted with a 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 formations he adopted for the game.

 “It’s important to win of course. I prefer to win than lose but it’s not important because we tried to put a new system,” Peseiro said after the game,” Peseiro told NFF Tv. “It’s the first time we played this way [3-4-3] formation] and I think like I told you the first half we played very well. It’s better to do the mistakes now. The second half was not good but not so bad also.

 “I’m happy of course. I know what the players did until now. They worked hard. Some players tried. Even the players that entered yesterday played many minutes but you need to change them because the other players are tired.

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 “Good performance indeed from some players. [Alhassan] Yusuf is playing for the first time with our national team. Stanley [Nwabali] also, I am happy with everybody.”

Meanwhile, Peseiro has revealed  that Kelechi Iheanacho will join the team in Abidjan  for the AFCON.

The Leicester City forward is part of the 25-man squad but he was not at the Abu Dhabi camp as he was tending to his  injury back at his English Championship side.

 “Kelechi will be with us in Cote d’Ivoire. He has finished his treatment at Leicester City,” Peseiro further told the NFF Tv.

On the vexed  goalkeeping  issue befuddling the Super Eagles, Peseiro affirmed  that the team’s number one shirt was still open despite the fact  Chippa United shot stopper Stanley Nwabali  reportedly  pulled some fine saves  in the 2-0 loss to guinea.

 “Stanley played but I can’t say for anyone that will be in the first 11 [against Equatorial Guinea]. In that moment I will decide, but in this moment, I say for everybody,” the Portuguese trainer added.

• NFF finalises return of Waldrum

Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, said  the federation has not   commenced the process of  hiring a replacement for Super Eagles coach Jose  Peseiro until the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivore  2023. He stated that “when we get to that bridge, we shall resolve it.”

Though Peseiro has reportedly said he was moving on, irrespective of the outcome of the AFCON with the Super Eagles, speaking in Lagos yesterday, Gusau said  the NFF bended backward to  accommodate Peseiro after the expiration of his initial contract in June 2023, before agreeing on an extension till the end of the AFCON in February.

 “The contract NFF had with  Peseiro before we came on board was simple: qualify us (Nigeria) to the Nations Cup and, number two, take us to the semi-final,” Gusau  said. “The Nations Cup was to hold between June and July last year when his contract was agreed, but because Cote d’Ivoire was not ready, AFCON was moved to January 2024. As such, we found ourselves in a very  hectic situation; but fortunately for us, it was clearly stated in his contract that it was going to end on July 31st 2023.

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 “But the coach and his lawyers said  they still had a contract since they were yet to fulfill the second part of the contract after fulfilling the primary aim of qualification and they needed to fulfill the second part.”

Gusau revealed that it was clearly a case of force majeure since both parties  never knew that the schedule of the AFCON was going to be changed, hence it was on the insistence of the NFF board  that Peseiro finally agreed to a pay cut of $20,000 USD from his humongous $70,0000 USD before his contract was extended till the end of Cote  d’Ivoire 2023.

 “Personally, I stood on my feet because the $70,0000 USD salary was a burden and  that’s how he agreed to that pay cut, while we also insisted he must also oversee the CHAN Eagles team as part of his new contract,” he further explained.

Meanwhile, Gusau said the NFF was in advanced talk  with American coach Randy Waldrum on a fresh contract  for the Super Falcons, revealing that all the grey areas including the issue of assistants were being sorted out.

Uncapped Alhassan Yusuf, Amas Obasogie and Christian Nwoke have reportedly  been included in Nigeria’s  provisional list submitted  by Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Cote ‘d’ Ivoire in January next year.

The Portuguese  coach,  according to ACL Sports, stuck with almost all the players that took part in the previous games with the exception of Yusuf who plays for Royal Antwerp; Bendel Insurance’s Obasogie and Sporting Lagos’ goalkeeper  Nwoke.

Peseiro picked six goalkeepers with erratic Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye leading the pack along with Ojo Olorunleke, and Stanley Nwabili who the Eagles coach reported went to South Africa to scout.

There are 13 defenders in the list submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by Peseiro without any surprise inclusion. Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tyrone Ebuehi, Jamilu Collins, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Semi Ajayi.

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Others are Calvin Bassey, Kenneth Omeruo, Kevin Akpoguma, Chidozie Awaziem, Jordan Torunarigha and William Troost Ekong who makes a return to the team after recent snubs by the Eagles coaches.

Peseiro picked eight midfielders with Kelechi Nwakali who last played for the Super Eagles during the last AFCON in Cameroon. Regular suspects Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika Nwadike, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf.

Victor Osimhen topped the list of attackers whose list was submitted to CAF. Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho are other Eagles attackers who are making waves in Europe.

Umar Sadiq, Ahmed Musa, Paul Onuachu, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Emmanuel Dennis, and Samuel Chukwueze are also included by Peseiro.

Terem Moffi who is also listed by Peseiro in the 40 man list is a doubt for the AFCON after he copped a hamstring injury in Nice’s last weekend game.

• Says Nigeria’s thirty for glory after  10 year wait

Minister of Sports Development , Senator John Owan Enoh , has enjoined the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro  to consolidate efforts at ensuring that the country win her fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title  at  next month’s  continental fiesta  holding in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Super have been drawn in a tricky  Group A  that housed hosts Cote D’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau and  Senator  is rallying  efforts  behind the three-time champions  as he held a high-level meeting  yesterday with the leadership of the NFF and Peseiro ‘to deliberate on strategic plans and preparations towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).’

At the meeting held at the Minister’s office in Abuja, Enoh reaffirmed government’s unwavering support for Nigerian football and emphasized the significance of meticulous planning and cohesive strategies to propel the national team to victory at the AFCON.

“Our country is so passionate about football, such that amidst all other sports, football is about the only sport that has an entry in the nation’s national budget,” the Minister said. “That is how important football is, because whatever happens to it, happens to us as a country.”

“After 10 years, the country is thirsty to win the AFCON. It will matter a great deal to the Nigerian people, and to the Government of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

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“ It is important to not just leave the task to the NFF alone, but the Government is also interested in being able to tell the Nigerian people what is being done in that regard,” he  added.

Speaking further, Enoh  reemphasized the importance of Wednesday’s session,  adding  the ministry would provide  all the necessary support and resources to ensure Super Eagles’ readiness and competitiveness at the tournament.

Responding, NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau assured Nigerians that there is no need to panic, saying  all hands are on deck to ensure the country flies high in Cote d’Ivoire.

He added that the NFF is committed to making sure the country performs well at the championship.

Super Eagles gaffer, Coach Jose Peseiro conveyed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts and reiterated his commitment to steering the Nigerian national team towards excellence.

He highlighted the significance of robust preparation and emphasized that the technical crew will work with the players to sort out grey areas and bring joy to Nigerians.

The Minister commended the dedication and professionalism exhibited by Coach Peseiro and the NFF, stating that necessary efforts are ongoing to settle outstanding issues with the coach and assured him of an enabling environment to help the team thrive.

As the tournament draws nearer, Senator Enoh assured football enthusiasts of the Government’s continuous support and urged Nigerians to rally behind the national team as they prepare to compete at the highest level of African football.

The NFF delegation at the meeting also included 1st Vice President, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, Chairman, Technical Committee, Sharif Inuwa and Director of international competitions, Dayo Enebi.

The tourney will be held in Côte D’Ivoire between January 13 – February 11.

Ex-international, Friday Ekpo, says sacking Super Eagles Head Coach, José Peseiro, is not as crucial as adding fresh home based and foreign professionals to key departments of the team.

Ekpo said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, against the backdrop of Super Eagles unimpressive performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

NAN reports that Super Eagles drew 1-1 in Uyo on matchday one against Lesotho, a team that has never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.

A few days later, the Super Eagles were held to another 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Rwanda to bag only two points from their first two games.

The Portuguese has been under immense criticism after guiding the three-time African champions to two disappointing results in November.

Ekpo, the Former Super Eagles midfielder, appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to heed the call by football enthusiasts to sack the coach.

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“I’m not calling for Jose’s head like most people are, sacking him will be counterproductive at this point in time. These results can be reversed in subsequent matches.

“My only concern is that we shouldn’t have only foreign based players in the team, because selecting his team for matches will be tough.

“No foreign based player would like to leave their clubs just for them to come and seat on the bench, we’ve done it in the past and it worked, we can do that again,” he said.

Peseiro is set to submit a 55-man provisional list ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Dec.14.

NAN reports that participating countries can name a maximum 27 players in their squad for the 2023 AFCON finals as against the usual 23. The final roaster is expected to be submitted by Jan. 3, 2024.

Ekpo, a member of the 1992 African Cup of Nation squad, told NAN that the victory of Super Eagles at the 2013 AFCON was sealed by a home based player at the time, Sunday Mba.

“Sunday Mba was a Warrior Wolves of Asaba player. Late Stephen Keshi did that, and the result was glaring. Moreover, this is the only way we can truly develop our domestic league.

“We all want results but it’s important we pay attention to history and learn from it,” he said. (NAN)

• Egbe carpets Portuguese coach over Uzoho

Amid poor run of results in their two opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup  African qualifiers against  Lesotho and Zimbabwe,  some senior Super Eagles  fear the national team has become rudderless under Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.

The Super Eagles recorded an identical 1-1 draw against Lesotho and Zimbabwe and now sit in third position behind Rwanda and South Africa in their Group C section, much to the chagrin of Nigerians.

But words are now rife within the rank and file of the national team that some players are no longer comfortable playing under  Peseiro even as many now query his suitability for both the 2026 World Cup campaign and the forthcoming delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON) next year in Cote d’Ivoire.

 “Take this from me, most of the Super Eagles stars especially the senior ones, are no longer happy playing  under Peseiro,“ a confidante of one of the players told NationSport yesterday on condition of anonymity.

He continued: “It would be  difficult for any of the players to openly call for the sack of Peseiro, but the truth is that  they are not happy playing under him. Some of them  can’t even believe why he would be shouting at them.

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 “Besides, some are also not at home with his tactics and deployment of the players in matches because he is not even exploring the strengths of the team.”

But a Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) chieftain  told our correspondent  the Super Eagles would  weather the current   storm  despite the misgivings of  many stakeholders.

While the NFF are groaning  over the financial implication of firing the under-performing Peseiro, former international and national U-23 goalkeeper coach, Etta Egbe, said yesterday that the Super  Eagles would continue to suffer with the Portuguese coach keeping goalkeeper Francis Uzoho as the team’s number one goalkeeper.

 “I’m still surprised that since our last match where the guy (Uzoho) embarrassed us and they still kept him there, you (Peseiro) still can’t raise a better goalkeeper,” Egbe lamented on Brila FM. “But he’s still saying he (Uzoho) remains the best; imagine a goalkeeper being beaten from 35 yards and even at my age, you can’t beat me  straight away from 35 yards.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that  it’s at a crossroad with  the job status of super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro  amid poor run of  results  ahead of he delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations  to be held in Cote d’Ivoire in January.

The NFF board member,  Nse Essien , said but for the  shifting of the AFCON till 2024, Peseiro’s contract  ought to have elapsed in June 2023, adding  the change necessitated the review of  the  contract with the Portuguese .

He said the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board  could not afford to pay Peseiro USD 70,000 as salary after the Sports Ministry backed out of the previous agreement to offset his salary ; consequently  he was offered a pay cut until the end of the AFCON.

“It is not true. His contract was to end with the Nations Cup based on performance. Unfortunately COVID interrupted the football calendar and the Nations Cup was shifted to January 2024 instead of June 2023,” he  disclosed. “So he insisted that his contract will end January 2024.

“ Gusau had never been comfortable with the contract as the money was too much with little or no results. We needed to renegotiate his contract and  asked him to take a cut or go.

“He agreed for a lower wage. That’s where we are now and never a new contract.”

“But  the truth is that if his (USD 70,000 )wages were up to date, we would have pushed to call off his bluff. That’s where we are.”

Yet football buffs have called for Peseiro’s sack  following the team’s second consecutive  identical  1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe  in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament.

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In  interviews  with the News Agency  of Nigeria(NAN ), a former member of the House of Representatives, Godfrey Gaiya and Federal  Capital City Football Association (FCTFA) chairman, Adam Mouktar Mohammed,  said the Super  Eagles’ recent  poor results  were unacceptable.

 “As it is often said, football is not mathematics, and outcomes can surprise the pundits, but even at that there are often sure bankers,” Gaiya  said in apt reference  to the  quality of  Nigeria’s Group C rivals  that house Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Benin Republic, Lesotho, and South Africa.

 “How can a star-studded Super Eagles fight so desperately to secure a draw with Lesotho in Uyo? Then to add insult to injury, we fought so hard to hold on to another disappointing draw with 125th  ranked Zimbabwe.”

Speaking in the same vein, Mouktar said the recent poor performances recorded by the Super Eagles calls for deep soul searching.

“We are walking a tight rope. This last result makes it very difficult for us now.

 “We have a lot of work to do to get near perfect results from June 2024 when the qualifications resume.

 “We need to look deeper into the problems why our Super Eagles are not tops in Africa. A lot of questions need to be answered,” he said.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting South Africa, current leaders of Group C, before travelling to an away game against Benin Republic.