TheNewsGuru

Tag: Jose Peseiro

  • What Super Eagles need, not Peseiro’s sack – Ekpo

    What Super Eagles need, not Peseiro’s sack – Ekpo

    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 NAN on Tuesday in Lagos, against the backdrop of Super Eagles’ unimpressive performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

    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.

    “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.

    According to reports 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, said that the victory of the 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.

  • We didn’t employ Jose Peseiro, the Ministry of Sports employed him – NFF executive member

    We didn’t employ Jose Peseiro, the Ministry of Sports employed him – NFF executive member

    A Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) board member, Hon Essien Udofot, has noted that the NFF didn’t employ Jose Peseiro, noting that he was employed by the Ministry of Sports.

    This was made known in a video interview posted by an “X” user with the name “@OgaNlaMedia”. He added that the NFF would respect the contract of Peseiro.

    See video below:

     

     

  • Super Eagles vs Lesotho: PFAN calls for Peseiro’s axing

    Super Eagles vs Lesotho: PFAN calls for Peseiro’s axing

    The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force has called for the sack of Super Eagles’ Coach, Jose Peseiro, over the dismal performance of the team against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

    Harrison Jalla, Chairman of PFAN task force made the call on Friday, saying that the Super Eagles’ performance against Lesotho marked another inglorious journey with coach Peseiro.

    Recall the Super Eagles were held to a disappointing 1-1 home draw by Lesotho in a Group C Match Day 1 fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Thursday.

    “It was, indeed, a dismal performance by the Super Eagles against Lesotho under the watch of coach Peseiro.

    “This is a clear indication that Nigeria will be bundled out of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and may not qualify for 2026 World cup if Peseiro is not sacked immediately,” he said.

    The PFAN Task force boss noted that Peseiro was a baggage inherited from the immediate past Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board.

    He questioned what was there to emulate or carry over from a Board that according to him failed in all ramifications.

    “Before the emergence of the Ibrahim Gusau led NFF Board, Coach Peseiro had shown Nigerians through his woeful performances that he had no capacity to thinker a brand like the Super Eagles.

    “How did Gusau and his Board arrive at the decision to retain Jose Paseiro?

    “When are we going to wipe out this mental slavery of ‘it must be a European?’

    “What can this Portuguese coach offer the Super Eagles?” he asked.

    He recalled that other African countries like Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and Cameroon showcased their indigenous coaches at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and wondered why Nigeria could not emulate such gesture.

    He stressed that Nigeria must be proud of what it had and engage indigenous coaches instead of relying on foreign coaches who had failed on several occasions.

    “What is wrong in engaging coaches like Emmanuel Amunike, Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and some of the legions of ex-internationals we have.

    “We can invest in their training and retraining using a fund already provided for through the streams of FIFA funding.

    “Coach Stephen Keshi of blessed memory has proved that an indigenous coach can win the African Nations cup and even go beyond the second round of the world cup,” he said.

    He argued that a responsible football federation would have built on Coach Keshi’s legacy moving forward, adding that the hiring of Coach Gernot Rohr and Peseiro was a huge set back to Nigeria Football.

    “Enough of the emotional trauma, harrowing experience and pains to Nigerians occasioned by the irresponsible leadership of the NFF.

    “The Ibrahim Gusau led NFF must sack Peseiro now.

    “It is better to grow with our own indigenous coaches than wasting 70,000 dollars monthly on a coach whose stock in trade is to bring sorrow and pains to Nigerians in every game,” he said.

    The Super Eagles will trade tackles with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in their second group game of the 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Huye Stadium in Rwanda on Sunday.

  • Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro sticks with Uzoho as number 1 goalkeeper, gives reasons

    Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro sticks with Uzoho as number 1 goalkeeper, gives reasons

    Super Eagles Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro has defended his choice of Francis Uzoho as the number one goalkeeper despite calls from fans that he should be axed from the national team.

    Peseiro made his defense of Uzoho known in Uyo during a pre-match press conference on Wednesday night.

    .According to the Super Eagles gaffer, Uzoho will continue to man the post to build his confidence.

    He said ”On Uzoho I understand the media and the fans but my decision comes from my head and not people’s feelings.

    “I need to follow my confidence and my job.

    ”It’s normal in football for strikers to miss chances, and for midfielders to miss their passes same as goalkeepers too can sometimes make mistakes.

    ”Everybody knows he made a mistake against Saudi Arabia, he knows and I know but we have already discussed about it”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Super Eagles will face the Crocodiles of Lesotho in a World Cup 2026 qualifier match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Thursday

     

  • Nigeria vs Mozambique: Peseiro unveils starting XI, keeps faith with Uzoho

    Nigeria vs Mozambique: Peseiro unveils starting XI, keeps faith with Uzoho

    Portuguese gaffer and Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has released his team list for today’s  international friendly against The Mambas of Mozambique.

    Only goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and left-back Bruno Onyemaechi kept their places in the starting X1 from the team’s last match against the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia.

    Gent centre-back Jordan Torunarigha, who will make his debut, will partner Kenneth Omeruo at the heart of the defence.

    Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel has been given the go ahead to start at the right back position, while Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika will operate in the two-man midfield.

    Hatyaspor of Turkey star, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, will also make his debut, starting on the right-wing, while Moses Simon will play from the left-wing position.

    OGC Nice forward Terem Moffi will lead the attack and will be supported by Joe Aribo.

    See Super Eagles starting XI against Mozambique

    Goalie – Uzoho

    Defenders – Osayi-Samuel – Torunarigha – Omeruo – Onyemaechi

    Midfielders – Onyeka – Onyedika – Simon – Dele-Bashiru

    Attackers – Aribo – Moffi

  • Peseiro praises Super Eagles despite playing 2-2 with Saudi Arabia

    Peseiro praises Super Eagles despite playing 2-2 with Saudi Arabia

    Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has heaped praises on his lads despite playing out ba 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia on Friday night in Portugal.

    The Super Eagles conceded a late gasp goal to surrebder their 2-1 lead in the game.

    The Portuguese gaffer,  though, was not happy with his side’s finishing in the game but  praised his players for their performance.

    “It was a good game; we did well, especially in the first half. We could have scored two or three goals, but we didn’t finish the chances we created,” Peseiro said in his post-match interview.

    “We had some situations where our final ball was not good enough too.

    “In all, it was a good performance against the last team that beat Argentina. They tried to beat us too.”

    The Super Eagles will face the Black Mambas of Mozambique in their next friendly on Monday.

  • Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro explains why he accepted a short term contract

    Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro explains why he accepted a short term contract

    Jose Peseiro the Super Eagles head coach,  has stated reasons behind his decision to accept a short-term contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Recall that Peseiro’s previous contract expired at the end of June.

    There was a lot of back and forth before the Portuguese gaffer accepted a pay cut and a short term deal that will expire after the AFCON in 2024.

    The 63-year-old’s contract is subject to renewal if the Super Eagles finish well at 2024 AFCON.

    The Portuguese stated that the desire to win the AFCON was the main reason behind his decision.

    “Me and my staff did everything in order to stay here to train these players and reach the big goal – win the AFCON title,” Peseiro told Brila FM.

    The Super Eagles have won the AFCON title three times in the past.

  • Super Eagles Coach, Peseiro makes fresh demands from NFF

    Super Eagles Coach, Peseiro makes fresh demands from NFF

    Super Eagles manager, Jose Peseiro has made fresh demands ahead of the AFCON tournament coming up in January 2024 in Cote D Ivoire.

    The Portuguese said that the Super Eagles need better welfare and working conditions ahead of preparations for next AFCON.

    Peseiro made his demands known after the Super Eagles booked their spot with a 3-2 win over Sierra Leone on Sunday.

    The Eagles qualified for the tournament with one qualifying game to spare.

    Peseiro whose contract extension is believed to have hinged on the qualification ticket said, “The NFF need to do the best by giving good conditions for my players. Super Eagles players played for Nigeria and need better conditions.

    “NFF must work well to give better conditions to the players for good performance at the African Nations Cup.

    “I want to say we still have time for them to do the right thing for us to do well at AFCON.”

    \
  • I’m ready to coach Super Eagles if called upon – Amuneke

    I’m ready to coach Super Eagles if called upon – Amuneke

    Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke has once again reiterated his desire to coach the Super Eagles of Nigeria if the opportunity comes up.

    Current coach Jose Peseiro is under fire after series of poor result including the last game against Guinea Bissau at the MKO Abiola stadium  in Abuja.

    There are reports the Portuguese will be sacked should the Super Eagles suffer another defeat against Guinea-Bissau today.

    Meanwhile the Tunisia 1994 hero, Amuneke has said he’s ready should the situation present itself, saying that he’s got what it takes to tinker the Super Eagles if the position becomes vacant anytime.

    “I’ve never coached the Super Eagles, I’ve only gone twice to assist someone but coaching Super Eagles on my own I have not,” Amuneke told News Central.

    “But of course Nigeria is my country and the national team we are all part of it and when the opportunity comes and Nigerians feel that we can add something to the national team of course it’s a welcome development.”

    The former winger is currently a consultant to the coaching team of the Zambian Super League club, Zanaco FC.

    He also once handled the Tanzania national team.

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau today in the reverse fixture that will hold in Bissau by 5pm Nigerian time.

  • AFCON Qualifier: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro releases 23-man squad for Guinea Bissau clash

    AFCON Qualifier: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro releases 23-man squad for Guinea Bissau clash

    Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has released a 23-man list for his side 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double-header against Guinea-Bissau billed to hold in Abuja and Morocco.

    Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, Etebo and many others were included on the list.

    Rivers United goalkeeper, Victor Sochima earn his maiden invitation to the team, while Boavista defender, Bruno Onyemaechi is invited for the second time.

    Two Flying Eagles players, Chijoke Aniagboso and Daniel Bamaiyi were also included in the squad.

    Vice-captain William Troost-Ekong missed out as a result of injury, while Torino defender, Ola Aina was among the surprise absentees.

    Peseiro also dropped former first-choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye from the squad.

    The Super Eagles will host the Djurtus in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Friday, March 24.

    The reverse fixture will take place in Morocco four days later.

    Guinea Bissau will play its home games in Morocco owing to the non endorsement of any of its stadiums for international game.