The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday announced Portuguese José Peseiro as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
The appointment comes months after he was first announced as the new coach in December 2021 on observer role. He was to take over from Augustine Eguavoen, who was named the interim head coach to lead the Super Eagles to the AFCON 2021. Peseiro’s resumption as coach remained doubtful until after the Eagles’ poor showing at the AFCON and subsequent loss of the 2022 FIFA World Cup ticket to Ghana.
NFF’s spokesperson Ademola Olajire said in a statement that the appointment is with immediate effect, subject to the signing of agreed terms between the NFF and the 62-year-old.
“Peseiro is expected to lead out the Super Eagles for the first time during the upcoming tour of the United States of America, during which the three–time African champions will slug it out with Mexico and Ecuador ‘A’ Teams in prestige friendlies.
“The Eagles will tango with the El Tri at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, State of Texas on Saturday, 28th May before flying to New Jersey to confront Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, 2nd June,” the statement said.
The NFF also announced that “former Nigeria international forward, Finidi George will now be 1st Assistant to Peseiro, with Salisu Yusuf now to be second Assistant as well as Head Coach of the CHAN and U23 National Teams.
“Usman Abdallah is the third Assistant while Eboboritse Uwejamomere will be the Match Analyst and another former Nigeria international, Ike Shorounmu will be the Goalkeepers’ Trainer.”
Peseiro has coached Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucharest, Sporting Braga, Victoria Gumaraes, Al-Hilal, Al-Wahda, Al-Ahly Cairo, Sharjah FC and Real Madrid (assistant coach during the Galacticos era). He was also head coach of the Saudi Arabian and Venezuelan national teams.
