Jose Peseiro‘s 22-month stint as the Nigeria coach has been met with mixed reviews and continuous scrutiny from Super Eagles fans across the country.
Despite high expectations upon his appointment in May 2022, following the disappointing exit of the Super Eagles from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under the interim leadership of Augustine Eguavoen in Cameroon, Peseiro's tenure as Nigeria coach has been marked by inconsistency and a lack of significant progress.
Initially hailed for his connections to renowned coach Jose Mourinho and perceived understanding of Nigerian players, Peseiro's performance often failed to live up to expectations.
How Peseiro performed as Nigeria coach
While his technical and scouting team unearthed some promising talents, such as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who emerged as a reliable option, the overall talent pool of the Super Eagles was deemed average by many, limiting Peseiro's options in team selection.
Despite reaching the final of the 2023 AFCON tournament, the Super Eagles' performances under Peseiro's guidance often left much to be desired.
Critics pointed out several shortcomings, including disappointing losses to lesser-ranked teams like Guinea-Bissau and unconvincing draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Peseiro's decision-making regarding player selection also came under fire, with experienced players like Ahmed Musa being sidelined and promising talents like Bruno Onyemachi and Terem Moffi underutilized.
Peseiro's tactics as Nigeria coach criticised
In addition to on-field performance, Peseiro's tactical approach was also subject to criticism.
Former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami highlighted a lack of tactical flexibility and an overreliance on a single defensive approach, which ultimately proved predictable and exploitable by opponents.
Odegbami also questioned Peseiro's ability to improve individual players and his overall strategic depth, particularly evident during the AFCON final against Ivory Coast.
With Peseiro's resignation following the AFCON final defeat, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement.
While there is ongoing debate regarding the nationality of the next coach, the priority should be finding the best candidate to lead the Super Eagles forward.
A new Nigeria coach and approach urgently needed
As Nigeria prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, the footballing hierarchy must urgently reflect and take action.
The NFF must assess the state of Nigerian football, identify areas of improvement, and take proactive steps to address them.
Whether it's appointing a local Nigeria coach or seeking an international candidate, the ultimate goal is to ensure the Super Eagles' success on the global stage.
As the countdown to the World Cup qualifiers begins, Nigeria fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the Super Eagles' journey.
Regardless of who sits on the bench, the collective aspiration remains the same: to see the Eagles soar to new heights and represent Nigeria with pride on the world stage.
With decisive action and strategic planning, the NFF can pave the way for a brighter future for Nigerian football and fulfil the dreams of millions of fans across the country.
