Peseiro to wait as ministry demands equal opportunity for shortlisted coaches

Jose Peseiro

Eagles wait on CAF to decide fourth team in Group A It may take a little longer than expected for Super Eagles to get a new head coach.

Speculation has been rife that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has chosen Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, as Super Eagles manager. It was also said that the former Saudi Arabia and Venezuela coach would be unveiled to Nigerians very soon.

The report also said that Peseiro has accepted the Eagles’ job and is willing to reside in Nigeria to be able to monitor the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for players.

But that may take a little longer to happen as the sports ministry has directed the NFF to invite all the those interested in coaching the senior national team for interview and give them equal opportunity to prove they are capable of meeting the country’s aspirations.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Toyin Ibitoye, a Senior Special Assistant to Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, said the minister only wants to ensure that the country gets the best possible coach for the Eagles.

According to Ibitoye, “The NFF has the right to employ a coach for the Eagles, but the ministry wants the Federation to give all the coaches equal opportunity to stake their claim to the job.

“We don’t want a situation where somebody will be announced as Nigeria’s coach without going through due process. At the end of the exercise, the NFF still has to make the decision on who among the interviewed coaches becomes Super Eagles’ manager.

“The minister wants things to be done properly because whoever becomes the coach will be saddled with responsibility of meeting the aspirations of Nigerian football fans.”

MEANWHILE, the NFF has started preparations for the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup of