Former Nigeria international defender Taiye Taiwo says the senior national team of Nigeria would have qualified for the 2026 World Cup if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had kept former coach Jose Peseiro.
Peseiro started the world cup qualifiers with the team picking up draws against Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe away from home, before leaving his role shortly after leading the team to a second place finish at the AFCON.
He was replaced by one of his assistants in Finidi George, who handled the team in the games against South Africa which ended in a 1-1 draw, and also the only loss so far in the campaign which was a 1-2 defeat to Benin Republic.
Finidi was sent packing after the game, with Malian coach Eric Chelle appointed in his position and they head into today’s game needing a 3-0 win over table toppers Benin Republic to finish second and also make the playoff.
Speaking on the poor campaign, Taiwo said the team hasn’t provided enough service to top striker Victor Osimhen, and he feels the team would have been home and dry if Peseiro was retained.
“If you service Osimhen well, he will score goals. You have to service the striker. It’s a shame that we can’t make it to the World Cup. If Nigeria allowed Peseiro to stay, we would qualify for this World Cup.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
