Long-suffering fans of the Super Eagles wait to see just how practical the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) tournament theme of “let’s do it again” will happen, as Nigeria begins their quest for a fourth AFCON title from Sunday afternoon against Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has bragged he hopes to go all the way and win Nigeria a fourth AFCON title.
Notably, the appointment of the 63-year-old Portuguese coach was controversial from the onset.
Given that his principal proponents stated he was endorsed by his more adept compatriot Jose Mourinho, whom he assisted at Real Madrid, critics questioned his pedigree.
As coach of Venezuela, he lost 6, won 1, and drew 3.
His team let in 15 goals and scored only 5, while he used 39 players to arrive at such a chaotic record.
Notwithstanding a general condemnation, he was appointed on May 15, 2022, on a year’s performance-based contract.
SCORENigeri understands that some “powerful men” made this possible and Peseiro now has to reach the NFF target of a semifinal finish in Cote d’Ivoire to remain in charge of the team.
Jose Peseiro became the best-paid coach in Nigeria on a monthly salary of $70,000.
Former Gombe FA chairman Gara Gombe has since described the appointment as “one of the biggest mistakes by Nigeria football”.
Under his tutelage, the Super Eagles have lost more games than they have won.
The team lost 6, won 5, and drew 4.
They have not won their last five matches – 4 draws before Monday’s 2-0 loss to Guinea.
Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON opening game against Equatorial Guinea is scheduled for a 2 pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, January 14, at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
