A lot of Nigerians, heading into the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, did not give Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro a chance to perform well at the tournament.
This was clear for all to see because of the results before the tournament.
The Super Eagles drew their first two World Cup qualification games to Lesotho and Zimbabwe and were also unimpressive in the international friendlies with Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.
With injuries to Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar, it looked gloomy for the Nigeria coach and his charges.
At the end of the day, not only did the team surpass all expectations, they got on the podium in second place – Nigeria’s best finish since the Super Eagles won the competition in 2013.
There has been a lot of talk about Peseiro’s situation as Nigeria coach since the expiration of his contract at the end of the tournament.
With echoes of the AFCON final might still be ringing in our ears, the bitter-sweet taste of second place lingering on our tongues, but amidst the emotions, a crucial question arises: Should Peseiro continue steering the Super Eagles ship as Nigeria coach?
While the debate rages on, here are three reasons why Peseiro should continue as the Nigeria coach.
Peseiro has Plan B as Nigeria coach
Nigeria, in all categories – men and women, are known worldwide for their flamboyant attacking style of football over the years.
The country has produced fantastic forwards, wingers and midfielders who wowed the world with their skills and athleticism.
Most of Nigeria’s football success internationally can be credited to the desire to play offensive football.
Over the years, the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami, and Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha have mesmerised fans with their flamboyance but in Ivory Coast, Nigerians saw something different.
The team was built around defensive solidity and playing as a unit while hitting teams on the break.
Peseiro deployed a 3-4-3 system with Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina, usually full-backs before the tournament, as wing-backs.
This gave a lot of balance to the team and they kept a solid defence that only conceded two goals before the tournament's final game against hosts Ivory Coast.
Granted, a lot of Nigerians wanted to see free-flowing football at AFCON, but sometimes, as they say, defence wins you titles – the Super Eagles came close to doing that.
The Super Eagles won’t be ultra defensive all the time like what they showcased in the Ivory Coast but surely, it will come in handy during the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers. It is a viable option, a viable plan B the Nigeria coach brought in.
Beyond the silverware: Progress, not just placements
Of course, the final loss stings. But was it a complete failure? Absolutely not.
We saw a team that dug deep, fought back from a goal down against Equatorial Guinea, and pushed Ivory Coast to the wire.
More importantly, we saw individual players blossom under Peseiro's guidance as Nigeria coach. Look at Semi Ajayi's resilience, Terem Moffi's predatory instincts, Ademola Lookman's dazzling runs, and Calvin Bassey's rock-solid defending as a testament to that.
These weren't mere flashes in the pan; they were signs of genuine development, a testament to Peseiro's ability to nurture talent.
Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and trophies, while desirable, are often the culmination of a longer journey.
Are we willing to abandon that journey just short of its potential destination?
Continuity: Stability breeds success
Let's face it, the Super Eagles haven't exactly enjoyed coaching stability in recent years. A revolving door of tacticians has meant inconsistent philosophies and disrupted player development.
Peseiro, however, brings a sense of calm and continuity. He has a clear vision, one that resonates with the players.
Remember his post-match interview after the semi-final? “We believe in what we do,” the Nigeria coach declared, and that belief shone through on the pitch.
In a world obsessed with instant gratification, discarding a coach based on one tournament, regardless of its outcome, might be shortsighted.
We might just be throwing away the very stability we desperately need to achieve long-term success.
The decision regarding Peseiro's future as Nigeria coach should not be taken lightly.
It requires careful consideration, weighing the emotions of the final against the undeniable progress made.
While the debate will undoubtedly continue, sometimes, the greatest victories aren't just measured in silverware, but in the foundation laid for future conquests.
And with Peseiro at the helm, that foundation might just be the one that propels the Super Eagles to the pinnacle of African football once again.
He should be given a new deal to steer the team to greatness.
