Three-time African Cup of Nations champions, Nigeria failed to secure the fourth title as Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro’s contract ended after the AFCON tournament.
The Portuguese tactician led the Super Eagles in memorable top-flight games in the just-concluded tournament as host Ivory Coast beat Nigeria to emerge as 2013 AFCON champions with a 2-1 victory on Sunday.
Adepoju Tobi, accredited FIFA and CAF photo journalists, revealed that “sources inside the Super Eagles camp are suggesting a lot of players are considering retirement.
He disclosed that “Jose Peseiro’s contract also ends with the AFCON.
Tobi suggested that “this is the time for the NFF to engage the players and create the atmosphere that they are loved, and the AFCON setback is not the end of life; we can continue working and win in 2025.
“Yes, some players are due for retirement, and those due for retirement will make an announcement in the next few weeks, but the names my sources told me should still be in the team for next year’s AFCON and 2026 World Cup, players below 30.
“On Peseiro, we have been here before, sacking and changing coaches, and we have managed just one AFCON final since 2013.
“Peseiro should get a contract extension, this time a long-term contract that will show a sign of respect for the manager. For a two-year contract that will cover the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup (qualifiers and tournaments), clauses of termination should be based on performance and results.
“I understand the fact that the NFF can’t afford to pay the Portuguese, and the Federal Government should step in and assist the Federation.
“I’m aware some ex-internationals met with top football stakeholders and government officials before the AFCON and suggested a domestic coach with Emmanuel Amunike leading the list, but this is not the time to make that change. We should learn from our previous mistakes; a silver finish at the AFCON should be complemented and not discarded.
‘We will wait and see how the NFF will manage post-AFCON issues with the players and the coach; they must be deliberate about continuity, review the mistakes, and set up a mechanism to get better.”
Chronicle NG reports that the Super Eagles are now second-place winners for the fifth time in the AFCON tournament.
