The NFF led by President Ibrahim Gusau face by far their sternest test yet as it concerns the future of Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro.
Peseiro’s contract runs out at the end of this month and even though he has qualified Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire in January, he has not done enough to deserve a new deal.
The NFF must have the courage, the steel backbone, to let Peseiro go and bring new energy and ideas for the Eagles to be super again.
The Super Eagles do not play again till September 4 in Uyo in a final 2023 AFCON Group A match against bottom team Sao Tome and Principe.
This will be great window of opportunity for a new man to take charge as he will then have good enough time to set up a new team in time for the start of the qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup in November.
Besides the match against Sao Tome, the NFF must ensure they also arrange a second game for the Eagles within that window so that the new coach is fully settled in on the job before the World Cup qualifiers and then the AFCON in the New Year.
Portuguese coach Peseiro will not be the first to qualify the country for a major championship and then be let go – Philippe Troussier and Shuaibu Amodu suffered such fate.
There has not been remarkable improvement in the Super Eagles since Peseiro took charge in May 2022.
The team still depend on the individual brilliance of their top stars like Victor Osimhen to win games.
Statistically, Peseiro has lost more games than he has won – 5 losses, 4 wins – and the Eagles are still not playing the beautiful football Nigerians crave for, the same reason his predecessor Rohr was booted out.
Privately, the NFF leadership is not convinced he is the man to lead Nigeria to glory despite his repeated boast that he will win the next AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
It is also important to note the football federation are not in the position to pay his staggering $70,000 monthly salary.
They have only managed to pay two months, while 10 months remain outstanding.
His body language suggests he is prepared to take a much reduced salary, which the broke NFF may still not be able to pay as at when due.
Peseiro’s profile has been enhanced with his appointment as Nigeria coach, but the country’s football has been poorer for this.
The NFF under Gusau have been far from decisive since they came into office in September and will need to take a cue from President Bola Tinubu that you need to break eggs to make scrambled eggs.
You can give the Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro a test to win the African Cup of Nations coming soon. The problem of failure is not solely his; you are owing him a huge month’s salary. If you hire another coach and you do not pay him as at when due he will still perform poorly. You can’t expect a man on empty stomach to perform excellently.