Following the announcement made by the Nigerian football federation about the appointment of Jose Peseiro as the new Super Eagles head coach on Sunday; Ex-Nigerian internationals have expressed their uncertainty over the capabilities of the coach to bring back the glory days of the Super Eagles.
Ex-Wimbledon star, Fashanu John; while speaking with journalists expressed his dissatisfaction at the NFF for going for a coach like peseiro. He said he hopes Nigerians won’t regret the appointment of the new coach. That, Peseiro is someone who he is familiar with; and he knows his history with the teams he has managed in the past.
While Ex-Nigerian International and African cup of Nations winner, Fuludu Edema; insisted on the fact that a coach from another country would not solve anything as he claims the problem. According to him, Nigeria’s football is facing problems with deep roots in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), which needs proper rejuvenation.
He added that, with peseiro, the Super Eagles could win some games and even make it to the Nations cup; but that should not be seen as an achievement in Nigerian football as it is not a new thing.
However, it should be noted that peseiro, during his managerial career has managed about 600 matches; winning more than 300, losing about 170 and having about 100 matches that ended in a tie.
The Portuguese also played a vital role in the promotion of C.D National to the primeira Liga in 1999 – within 3 years. He managed other notable teams including Porto, Sporting Lisbon; his other appointments got him the role of assistant coach at the la Liga giants, Real Madrid.
Former Super Eagles Star blames local managers for underperforming
In a recent development, another ex-Nigerian International, Friday Elahor; says that the decision of the Nigeria Football federation to appoint a foreign football manager for the super eagles is justifiable. And that it is as a result of the inabilities of the local managers to help Nigeria qualify for the 2022 world cup in Qatar.
Elahor, disclosed that he spoke with the former interim manager, Augustine Eguavoen before the world cup playoffs; that he should do everything he could to make sure Nigeria qualifies for the tournament. With the hope that it would further strengthen the trust NFF had started building in Home-based managers.
While speaking with Newsmen, he claims that the NFF’s decision is not a thing of surprise to him. And that their appointment of a foreign manager is due to the inability of the Home-based managers to deliver; and also convince the federation.
