Sports minister breaks silence on Peseiro’s Super Eagles future

Senator John Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, has updated the public on the status of Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles coach who is currently under criticism.

Peseiro has come under fire for leading the squad to a dismal start in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for 2026, after they drew with Zimbabwe and Lesotho, two low-ranked teams.

Enoh verified that he had a meeting with the NFF to talk about the Super Eagles’ recent bad play.

He said, “I am happy to inform you that just about yesterday or two days ago, I had a meeting with the President, General Secretary and the Technical Department of the NFF regarding the Super Eagles’ underperformance in recent games

What we came out of is that you know I’ve had to request that the coach be summoned, and I think at some point next week there’s going to be an engagement with the coach along with NFF chieftains.

“All of that is trying to respond to the outcome of these matches, especially the World Cup qualifying games.”

The Minister revealed that a decision will be taken on the future of Peseiro after the Nations Cup in 2024.

He said, “As a Minister, I am deeply concerned with the fortunes of the national team in recent times, but AFCON is around the corner and the contract of Peseiro is tied to the fortunes of the Super Eagles at the football fiesta.

“As a minister, I am concerned that the Nigerian national team is not delivering, not meeting up with our expectations. AFCON is so close that we need to be careful in what decisions we make. But the next qualification rounds for the World Cup – the next match is in June – so it gives us something you know to take decisions going forward

AFCON is going to start about January 14. Are we, for example, going to request to fire the Nigerian Coach? I mean, the answer is as good as mine.

“I have found out that in this sector; there are passions and emotions. Where you are seated and where I am providing leadership, you don’t respond. You know you are not driven by passions and emotions. No, you take your time,” Eno stated.