The race for who will succeed Jose Peseiro as coach of the senior national team of Nigeria has started with the future of the Portuguese coach uncertain following the expiration of his contract at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria lost 1-2 in the final to the host country on Sunday. Peseiro’s contract expired immediately after the game but he has the option of extending it for another two years after meeting the target of getting to at least the semi final of the tournament.
Peseiro hasn’t made a decision yet, but sources close to the coach says he will likely leave than stay in his current role although all will be dependent on his meeting with the hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the minister for youths and sports senator John Enoh.
On their part the NFF are not leaving any stone unturned in order to keep the momentum of the team after exceeding all expectations by getting to the final, hence they have already lined up a potential replacement for the Portuguese in the event that he leaves.
A chieftain of the NFF revealed that his likely replacement won’t be an indigenous coach despite reports saying former Nigeria U17 , U20 and Super Eagles assistant coach Emmanuel Amuneke is the favourite for the role.
” I can’t tell you it won’t be an indigenous coach if Peseiro leaves. We have our targets and even though some coaches have been using some people in high position to put us (NFF) under pressure, we know what we want and Peseiro is for now our best bet. If he doesn’t stay then we will get a coach who can adequately fit into his shoes”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
