‘Keep faith in Jose Peseiro’s Super Eagles’ – Duke Udi tells NFF, Nigerians

By Wale Mustapha

Former Nigeria international, Duke Udi has leaped to the defense of Super Eagles’ coach, Jose Peseiro to make significant impact with the team at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, and securing qualification to 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles have been faltering recently under the Portuguese coach playing back to back 1-1 draws in their opening World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Mozambique.

Those results and mediocre performances had left Nigerian football faithfuls fuming and calling for the sack of Peseiro – an increasing appeal gaining consideration from the country’s football body.

In the face of the growing demands for Peseiro’s sacking, the former Super Eagles star insists the embattled manager is still unbeaten in the two qualifying games just, stressing that he can achieve success in charge with the endorsement and support from the federation.

“If any department is not functioning then it is the problem of the team because everyone has to work together,” Udi told media.

“It’s too early to sack a coach because he drew two matches. He has not lost. We are still on course for both competitions (the World Cup and Nations Cup). In Ivory Coast, anything can happen.”

Nigeria will be gunning for their fourth AFCON title when the tournament commence in Ivory Coast in January before they will return in June for the next phase of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.