Time for a return? NFF in contact with Peseiro over Super Eagles coaching role

Former Nigeria and Porto head coach, Jose Peseiro, has been linked with a return to the dugout of the Super Eagles team, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 64-year-old took over as the coach of the Nigerian senior football team in 2022 after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Peseiro led Nigeria to the AFCON 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast, with Finidi George as his assistant, the Super Eagles lost the final of the competition to the hosts. The Portuguese relinquished his role as Nigeria’s coach at the end of February after his contract with the NFF ran out.

Finidi George took charge on an interim basis in March, leading the three-time AFCON Champions to victory against Ghana and a loss to Mali. The former Enyimba International coach was appointed permanently in May.

After a succession of poor outings during Nigeria’s June FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Finidi George penned his resignation letter, leaving the coaching position vacant.

Gerald Baloyi, who works with local agency Vodia Sports International Management revealed that Peseiro is negotiating a return to the Super Eagles, although he is linked with PSL side, Mamelodi Sundowns.

“Yes Vodia Sports International Management offered Jose Peseiro to Sundowns, though the Nigerian national team are interested in bringing him to take over again,” Gerald Baloyi said in quotes revealed by SNL Kickoff.

The Nigerian Football Federation are looking to appoint a coach for the Super Eagles ahead of the AFCON qualifying games which kick-off in September.