NFF President Gusau uncertain about Jose Peseiro future

By Saheed Afolabi

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau is not certain the national team coach, Jose Peseiro will continue in his role after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in September.

Following some extensive radical calls from football fans and relevant stakeholders that the Super Eagles coach is not fit to continue in the role as the chief coach and the NFF have been called upon to focus on home based coaches.

Gusau said the Glass House is critically looking at the issues of the national team coaches and it will be made known to the general public before or after the team’s AFCON encounter against Sao Tome and Principe.

The NFF boss futher disclosed that the Federation is still in discussion with Peseiro and his representatives over contractual agreement despite the Portuguese coach contract expiring at the end of July.

“Well, we are still on it and very soon, by the grace of God, Nigerians will hear the voice of the Federation, as far as the coach is concerned,” Gusau told Kennis FM.

As you know next month, on the 10th of September, we shall have the last match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, against Sao Tome. Obviously, everything will be concluded, before that time.

“It is not supposed to end at the end of June. If you recall, the Nations Cup was supposed to start in June and end in July (2023). So, the contract is supposed to end by the end of July. By the grace of God, very soon, Nigerians will know the position, because we are still talking with him and his lawyers, on that issue.

“The contract said that he had to qualify the team to the Nations Cup and secondly, he should take us to the finals of the Nations Cup. But unfortunately there was force majeure, which made CAF to take the tournament to January (2024). Obviously, it has affected the whole situation.”

Peseiro was employed by Amaju Pinnick led NFF board following the Super Eagles shambolic finish at the last AFCON in Cameroon and has qualified the team to the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast with one game to spare.