The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says they have not signed any contract with Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro to become the substantive coach of the senior national team of Nigeria.

Peseiro was announced as the new coach of the Nigerian team with an agreement that he will take over after the Africa Cup of Nations, where he will also be on ground to monitor the team.

His job schedule begins immediately after the tournament but recent reports indicate that the NFF want to backtrack on the agreement and keep their faith in interim coach Austine Eguavoen.

The performance has now triggered the idea of keeping him in the role permanently with an idea of him also keeping his job as technical director base on the few games the team plays in a year.

“He (Peseiro) is not in Cameroon because we have not signed a contract with him yet,” the official, a member of the NFF executive council who does not want to be named, told ESPN.

“If he had signed a contract, he would have definitely been in Cameroon as planned.”

Eguavoen has impressed with the team at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria winning all three of their games so far at the tournament with a style of football many refer to as one of the best in recent times.

“What we all agree on is that we want the team to do well, to play good football, to make Nigerians happy and to win trophies.

“It doesn’t matter who the coach is, what matters is the objective. If that objective can be achieved with Eguavoen as we can see now, then why not?

“We removed Rohr because Nigerians were not happy with the play and we were not blind to see that we were not going in the right direction the way we were playing.”

“What we are even thinking of right now is to give Eguavoen the two jobs. The national team plays about 10 matches a year, so during those times when they are not playing, he can carry on with his other responsibilities,” the official said.

Interim coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen says immediate past coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr deserves credit for the success of the Super Eagles so far at AFCON 2021.

Nigeria qualified with maximum points from their first three group games following yesterday’s 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau and according to Eguavoen, the success of the team is largely due to the ex German tactician of the team.

He said 98% of the boys were assembled by the coach hence the need to give him credit. “There is no way we are not going to give Gernot Rohr credit because he’s the one who put this team together,” Eguavoen said at his post-match press conference after Nigeria’s win over Guinea-Bissau.

“We still inherited a team of about 98% Gernot Rohr together, so there is no way we are going to leave Gernot Rohr out of this.

“He did a good job assembling these boys, but it’s quite unfortunate what has happened and if we win the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s for everyone, not just me alone.”

Head coach of the B team of Real Sociedad Xavi Alonso says Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar is hard to stop when in full flight terming him as a player with a bright future.

Alonso made this remark when Sadiq scored the second goal for Almeria over his team in October last year. He also set up the first goal scored by Jose Carlos Lazo as they ease their way to a 3-1 win to stay top of the Segunda.

A part of the Nigerian team to the ongoing 2021 delayed Africa Cup of Nations, he opened his senior international goal account yesterday with a goal as Nigeria run out 2-0 winners over Guinea-Bissau in their final group game.

Asked about the characteristics of the Nigerian top scorer, the former Liverpool Real Madrid and Bayern Munich ace predicts a promising future for him if he continues in this line. In addition, he recognizes that his next career move would not be too big for him based on his performance and the qualities that have led him to become a fearsome footballer:

” Unbalancing, powerful, decisive , and I have no doubt that in a higher category or league he will be just as decisive . I foresee a bright future for Umar Sadiq, but not just him, because not only Sadiq, Almería as a whole is a good team. 

“For my team it was an enormous physical and mental exhaustion having to run the ninety minutes behind the striker: “Tying Sadiq down for 90 minutes is impossible, because of the imbalance he has”, he concluded

It’s clear to see that despite the difficulties he is facing in adapting to the system of play of the Nigerian team, his talent is clearly not in doubt and he could yet come good for Nigeria if they go all the way.

Almeria and Nigeria international striker Sadiq Umar says scoring for the Super Eagles gave him a special kind of feeling that he hasn’t had before in his career.

The lanky forward made up for his mistake in the first half by finishing a well worked team move with a far post touch from a cross by Kelechi Iheanacho to open scoring for Nigeria in their 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.

Sadiq who has been the hottest striker in the Spanish second division since moving to Almeria with 28 goals and 10 assits in 59 games said scoring for Nigeria feels entirely different and special.

“I’m so excited getting on the scoresheet, it is a special moment for me and my family”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

He said the Nigeria team isn’t dreaming of lifting the trophy yet as they intend to go one game at a time, noting that the more progress they make, the harder the opponent you face.

“Every game is different, the more you go forward the more you face hard hames. We have to prepare our minds and be ready for what the future brings. You can see a lot of hardworking players and talents”, he said.

When asked if he is bothered by the criticism he is facing from a section of the fans of the team he said it’s not something that he can control; “We will keep moving as a team and go forward together and for people criticising me. It’s nothing I have control over. My job is to keep helping my team when I am needed. That’s the aspect I can control”, he said.

Former Super Eagles captain Austine Jay Jay Okocha says the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen isn’t getting the best out of the duo of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The duo started for Nigeria in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau with Iwobi playing on the right of attack while Iheanacho was deployed in the number ten role.

Okocha was in the studio as an analyst and he pointed out that Iwobi became more effective when he was moved to the number ten role insisting that Iheanacho isn’t fit for the role. He said he is better off as a striker.

“I’d like to see the coach play players in their right positions,” Okocha said on Super Sports.

“Iwobi became a better player when he took over the No.10 from Kelechi Iheanacho.

Iheanacho is not a typical No.10. He is a top finisher. I can understand why the coach is playing him in that position because he can convert a half chance.

“I am really impressed with the general performance of the Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau despite playing the second team.

“This shows that Eguavoen is blessed with an array of talents that are capable of reaching the final if well utilized,” he rounded up.

Super Eagles rave of the moment Moses Simon says the winning mentality of the Nigerian team is responsible for their run of three wins in three games so far at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will be the only team to pick up maximum points from all games as the group stage comes to an end today, and Simon who has been pivotal to the performance of the team narrowed it down to the way they approach games.

The Nantes star who was introduced as a substitute in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau said their aim in every game is to push any team they are up against backward. He made this known while speaking after the game yesterday.

“The mentality we have in the team is winning. We try to push the opponent backward. I believe that’s why the coach called on me in the second half and I am grateful to him for the opportunity”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com after the game.

“We all have one goal, it is not about playing. It’s all about winning the Cup. We talk to each other, everyone believe in the same objective and we are ready to make it happen.

“I can’t really say how far we can go in this tournament. We just need to take things step by step”, he stated.

Nigeria rounded up their group stage campaign at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau to maintain their 100 percent record at the tournament.

Sadiq Umar and William Troost Ekong scored for Nigeria in the second half in the game where coach Austine Eguavoen made as many as eight changes from the team that started the previous two games.

Owngoalnigeria.com rates the players on parade for Nigeria in the tournament.

Francis Uzoho  – Showed good distribution with his feet and also firm in his grip and positioning. Although he wasn’t severely tested…..6/10

Tyrone Ebuehi – Solid in defending and providing coverage for the central defence. Got high up the pitch a lot but didn’t do enough to make himself a threat…..6/10

William Ekong – The game played into his style of play nicely. Won his tackles effortlessly. Surprisingly distributed the ball nicely and as usual was solid in aerial duels. Capped his performance with a goal…..7.5/10

Semi Ajayi – He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to do anything. So calm and assured in possession. Drove the ball forward with authority and performed his defensive duties admirably well…..7/10

Jamilu Collins – Ran the left flank all game long. Didn’t misplace a single pass and was readily available to be used as an outlet. Won all his tackles and capped an impressive night with a last ditch tackle to deny Guinea-Bissau a chance at goal…..6.5/10

Wilfred Ndidi – So much that he left every other in midfield playing catch up. Won and distributed the ball with ease. As usual covered the most ground to once again cement his position in the team…..7/10

Kelechi Nwakali – Deadly at set piece situation. Drove the ball forward twice where he showed his ability to thread telling passes. Dropped in intensity as the game progresses. Need to play more forward passes…..6/10

Kelechi Iheanacho – Linked up nicely with Iwobi and Ndidi. Didn’t look as threatening as he has been so far. His side footed well weighted pass set Sadiq up for the opener. Not one of his best games but yet so effective…..6/10

Chidera Ejuke – A delight with the ball at his feet with the way he goes past his markers but lacked the conviction to hurt Guinea-Bissau like Simon did when he was introduced. Yet to play at the level expected of him…..5/10

Alex Iwobi – Looked lost, bereft of ideas, slow and wasteful in possession. It’s apparent that he is having confidence crisis.  Although he showed his creative side when he moved in field following the introduction of Henry Onyekuru for the final ten minutes…..5/10

Sadiq Umar – Put his body where it hurts and carried a presence which unsettled the defence of Guinea-Bissau. Had some heavy touches and made difficult some easy decisions which would have earned him a goal. Took his goal calmly…..5.5/10

Substitutes:

Moses Simon – The star of the tournament for the Nigerian team so far. Picked up from where he left off the previous two games with another storming display. Completed seven dribbles out of seven including a solo effort which led to the shot that came off the bar for Ekong to stab home the rebound…..7/10

Peter Olayinka – Didn’t get involved as expected. Bullied off the ball easily and didn’t put the press to stop Guinea-Bissau from playing from the back…..5/10

Henry Onyekuru – Tried so hard to make best use of the minutes he was given. Ran with the ball purposefully and with intent…..4/10

Frank Onyeka – Solid as the pivot alongside Ndidi. Brought stability to the middle for Nigeria with his positioning, ball winning ability and also movement…..5/10

Olisa Ndah – Didn’t get involved enough to earn a rating but might fancy a career at right back as looked quite at home there.

RevolutionPlus Property, the official real estate partner of the NFF will be  giving  free lands in choice locations within its estates to the Super Eagles if the team wins the ongoing AFCON trophy.

According to Bamidele Onalaja, the company’s Group Managing Director/ CEO, the lands will be available in choice locations in  Lagos, Abuja FCT, Nasarawa,  Abeokuta, Shimawa and Mowe in Ogun State, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and Port Harcourt Rivers State.

Onalaja who spoke in Lagos on the eve of Nigeria’s final group match against Guinea Bissau in the ongoing AFCON, said the gesture is aimed at giving the team a boost in its quest to win the continental cup for Nigeria and make Nigerians proud again.

In appreciation of the team’s performance in the competition so far and the need to encourage the players to do more for fatherland, Onalaja said “Now that the Super Eagles have qualified for the knockout stages of AFCON, RevolutionPlus Group will pay N1m for each goal scored by the team at every knockout stages of the competition” 

Onalaja also reaffirmed his earlier pledge of N4m to the team during the World Cup qualifiers and urged them to bring AFCON glory to Nigeria once again.

The coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Austine Eguavoen has made 8 changes to the starting lineup for the senior national team of Nigeria for their last group game against Guinea Bissau.

Nigeria have already booked a place in the round of 16 of the tournament as group winners following wins over Egypt and Sudan respectively. Hence today’s game is of no consequence to the team.

However, Eguavoen insist that it’s an avenue for players who have not been given sufficient game time to show their worth and create competition for the others who have started the first two games.

Eguavoen named same starting lineup for the first two games but he has shaked things up by resting most of his starters bar three in William Troost Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho.

The game against Guinea Bissau will kick off by 8pm Nigerian time.

Francis Uzoho

Tyrone Ebuehi

William Ekong

Semi Ajayi

Jamilu Collins

Wilfred Ndidi

Kelechi Nwakali

Kelechi Iheanacho

Chidera Ejuke

Alex Iwobi

Sadiq Umar