José Peseiro’s anticipated appointment as head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles following the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) fell through due to disagreements over contractual terms and financial matters, as announced on February 7, 2022. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) opted to extend interim coach Augustine Eguavoen’s tenure, dashing hopes of Peseiro’s appointment despite earlier negotiations and reported endorsements from high-profile figures like José Mourinho.
Breakdown of Negotiations
Peseiro was initially approached by the NFF to replace Gernot Rohr, who was sacked in December 2021 after a lackluster performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Reports suggested that Mourinho, a fellow Portuguese manager, recommended Peseiro and was expected to attend his unveiling, which never materialized. In a statement on Instagram, Peseiro clarified, “After several weeks of negotiations, during which there was news from the NFF that I would be the coach of their team from the end of AFCON 2021, a fact that I never confirmed, these did not materialize due to disagreement regarding contrarian clauses and financial matters.”
The NFF’s decision to retain Eguavoen was influenced by his impressive performance during the AFCON group stages, where the Super Eagles secured maximum points against Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau. Despite a Round of 16 exit against Tunisia, Eguavoen’s leadership garnered support from fans and the NFF, leading to the reconstitution of the coaching crew with Emmanuel Amuneke as immediate assistant, alongside Salisu Yusuf, Joseph Yobo, and Alloy Agu.
Missed Opportunity for Peseiro
Had Peseiro’s appointment been finalized, he was expected to lead Nigeria in the critical World Cup playoff against Ghana in March 2022, with the goal of securing qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The collapse of talks meant Peseiro missed this opportunity, leaving Eguavoen to guide the team through the crucial matches. The NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, acknowledged Peseiro’s interest, stating, “We have no doubt about his capacity,” but emphasized the decision to stick with Eguavoen due to his “positive performance” at AFCON.
Context and Aftermath
The failed negotiations reflect broader challenges within the NFF, including financial constraints and internal decision-making dynamics. Some fans and commentators criticized the NFF’s handling of the process, with one remarking, “This Amaju with his body wey go dey shake like rat wey fall inside water, how can you announce a deal that you are yet to reach a compromise on?” Others supported the retention of Eguavoen, valuing a local coach’s leadership and expressing skepticism about Peseiro’s track record, which included underwhelming stints with Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
Peseiro’s career, marked by stints at clubs like Sporting CP, Porto, and Al Ahly, and national teams including Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, has been characterized by high-profile roles but limited silverware, with only two trophies won (the 2013 Portuguese Cup with Braga and the 2016 Egyptian Premier League with Al Ahly). His preference for a defensive 5-4-1 formation also raised concerns among Nigerian fans accustomed to a more attacking style under Rohr.
Critical Perspective
The breakdown of talks highlights the NFF’s recurring issues with transparency and financial management, as seen in previous disputes with coaches like Rohr, who was owed salaries, and Peseiro himself later in his career when he faced similar payment delays. The decision to publicize Peseiro’s potential appointment before finalizing terms suggests a rush for publicity, which backfired and fueled public skepticism. While Eguavoen’s retention was justified by his AFCON performance, the failure to secure Peseiro may have missed an opportunity to bring a seasoned international perspective to the Super Eagles, especially for the high-stakes Ghana playoff.
Peseiro’s eventual appointment as Super Eagles coach in May 2022, after Eguavoen’s interim stint ended following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, indicates that the NFF revisited their interest in him. However, the initial collapse of talks in February 2022 underscores the challenges of aligning financial expectations and strategic visions in Nigerian football administration.
