Fumbling Super Eagles put Peseiro under fire

In May 2022, Portuguese gaffer, José Vítor dos Santos Peseiro, was appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) because of his impressive resume as it was believed he came highly recommended by a former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho. 

The then NFF Vice President, Shehu Dikko had said Peseiro’s wealth of experience gave him the edge over other candidates.

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“He has coached across the world, in Asia, in Europe, South America, in Africa.

“He has worked with big coaches like (Jose) Mourinho and (Carlos) Queiroz, coached at a big club like Real Madrid, coached big players and small players, coached in the World Cup qualifiers, UEFA Cup, UEFA Champions League and so on. He is also well educated, with a Masters degree in Sports Science.

“He might not have won anything but we believe he’ll bring value to our team,” he said.

Upon his assumption of duties, expectations were high for Peseiro to restore the winning mindset for which the Eagles were once renowned for in African football, but it seems that will take some time.

Even though he had even confessed that the Super Eagles are the “most talented” team he has ever coached, began his tenure with two losses, albeit friendly games.

He, however, bounced back with victories against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe in the AFCON 2023 qualifying series before drawing and losing to Algeria team B and main team respectively.

After the 2-1 loss to the Desert Foxes of Algeria in Oran on Tuesday night in an international friendly, he blamed the referees for the defeat while commending his team for playing to instructions.

“We showed our qualities and our collective job also, I think we could have beaten Algeria, of course, it was a hard match and because Algeria is a good team, but my players tried to do what we asked them, what we do in practice.

“I am very sad because we lost, I don’t like losing matches, the main point is that I am very happy with what my players did on the pitch.

“They played to the maximum and I would have liked to put everybody in the field like the test match against Algeria B but I could not because the rules don’t allow that.

“We did a very good job, we shot more on the opponent, and the opponent created opportunities, but our team created more opportunities than Algeria.

“Everybody makes mistakes, like me or the players, but the first mistake and the big mistake was our second clear goal, but the referee said it was offside, but that was not an offside goal and also the penalty,” he said.

Since taking charge of the Super Eagles, the 62-year-old tactician has overseen six matches in all competitions managing two wins, three defeats, and one draw and this has drawn different reactions from Nigerians who took to the microblogging platform, Twitter to express their thoughts.

@KelvinOma_ wrote: “Jose Peseiro has overseen six games as Super Eagles coach, and he has lost three. Isn’t it time to raise eyebrows?,” while @Chimamkpam_ said: “Peseiro is on fraud watch. This team is not playing well.”

@WIZZ_POLL posed a question: “Please how many years contract did Amaju Pinnick give Jose Peseiro?,” he said, adding: “The man is not building anything. The lack of patriotism is mind boggling. We knew this manager is nothing but they still hired him!”

@IbiShittu wrote: “Jose Peseiro should explain reason goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye was not given the chance against Algeria,” he said adding: “How is this Peseiro better than Rohr? “Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho shouldn’t come close to the Super Eagles again.”

@ovieroskoles wrote: “I find it ridiculous that Jose Peseiro still plays a 4-4-2 formation in this day and age. Why deliberately make your team light in midfield?”

“A serious manager would have taken off the likes of Iheanacho and Simon,” explained Paul Oviero Skoles, adding: “Iheanacho especially has been poor. We have many players who don’t deserve national team call ups anymore.

“Jose Peseiro, since he took charge, has not won a friendly game. I stand to be corrected. A fraud.”

Meanwhile, @OLZBielsa pleaded for fans to give Peseiro more time: “I think Jose Peseiro has finally found the team that suits his attacking playing style,” he said adding: “I was against his appointment at first but for now I think it’s too early to write him off, he’s actually cooking something with this team.”

The Portuguese will continue to receive harsh criticisms from football loving Nigerians because as a former manager of the Super Eagles, Clemence Westerhof, once said “every Nigerian is a football coach”.

However, the gaffer will face the biggest test of his time when Eagles face Portugal next as he is hopeful of a positive result against the former European champions.

Speaking to the NFF, Peseiro said, “I am happy to play against Portugal. It is my country. We will do a good match. I hope the players who are injured recover (in time for this match). I will choose the best players, but I hope no big injuries in the team,” he said.

Despite his assurances, he will undoubtedly be exposed further unless he conjures a swift miracle to shock the Euro 2016 and Nations League champions and bring the Eagles back on track.