Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has said that the fate of Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles head coach will be decided after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will be held in Cote D’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Senator Enoh made this statement while speaking to media as part of activities to mark his 100 days in office, noting that he had a meeting with the President, General Secretary and the Technical Department of the NFF regarding the Super Eagles’ underperformance in recent games.
“What we came out of – that is that you know I’ve had to request that the coach be summoned, and I think at some point next week there’s going to be an engagement with the coach along with NFF chieftains.
“All of that is trying to respond to the outcome of these matches, especially the World Cup qualifying games.”
Reacting to calls from some football stakeholders that Peseiro should be sacked over poor results, Enoh said that despite the passion of Nigerians for football, the decision to sack a coach is not taken due to emotions.
He said, “As a Minister, I am deeply concerned with the fortunes of the national team in recent times, but AFCON is around the corner and the contract of Peseiro is tied to the fortunes of the Super Eagles at the football fiesta.
“As a Minister, I am concerned that the Nigerian national team is not delivering, not meeting up with our expectations. AFCON is so close that we need to be careful in what decisions we make. But the next qualification rounds for the World Cup – the next match is in June – so it gives us something you know, to take decisions going forward.
“AFCON is going to start about January 14. Are we, for example, going to request to fire the Nigerian Coach? I mean, the answer is as good as mine
“I have found out that in this sector; there are passions and emotions. Where you are seated and where I am providing leadership, you don’t respond. You know you are not driven by passions and emotions. No, you take your time,” Eno stated
