A decision on who will lead the senior national team of Nigeria is expected to be made in the coming days following the expiration of the contract of former coach Jose Peseiro, who guided the team to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Peseiro who lead the team to their best finish in 11 years, before they were beaten 1-0 by the host in the final announced the expiration of his deal, bidding farewell to the team but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to confirm his exit with talks continuing over extending his deal.
A deadline of the end of March has been set for an agreement with both patties not at par on what his monthly earnings will be like. The NFF proposed $50,000 a month pay while the coach is demanding for $120000 a month. A new offer of $80,000 has been lodged by the football body.
On the sidelines, there has been talks about handing the job to an indigenous coach but a senior player in the team has sounded a note of warning to the NFF on hiring an indigenous coach for the team, judging by what he saw at the AFCON.
” It’s funny how many people don’t know that it’s not about tactics with the Super Eagles but man management. In that regard Peseiro has no equal. See how he managed the Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong situation. Can a local coach do that? Do you know the ego in that team at all?”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
” There will always be clashes, but unless you have managed at this level you can’t manage it. Did you notice how quiet the camp was despite the fact that our bonuses were not being paid and some players weren’t getting game time?
” For now I am not sure any Super Eagles player want an indigenous coach and like Ekong said we are all rooting for Peseiro to keep his job as coach”, he rounded up saying.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
