NFF, Peseiro in ‘Waiting Game’ over New Contract

With the AFCON 2023 now behind, there are strong indications that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and Super Eagles Manager, Jose Peseiro would be locked in talks over a new contract, shortly.

The Portuguese who surpassed the semi final target enshrined in his temporary contract that lapsed on a Sunday night with the end of the AFCON 2023, has the right of first refusal in Nigeria’s quest to hire a new manager for the senior team.

The original contract expired  last June but had to be extended to cover the period of the Africa Cup of Nations, originally scheduled for last summer but moved to early this year due to delay in completing some of the facilities earmarked to host a befitting AFCON.

The renewal of the interim six-month contract was tied to Nigeria getting to the semi-finals, a condition that Peseiro met when the Super Eagles defeated Angola in the quarter-finals.

Nigeria’s next assignment is the qualification for the 2025 AFCON which preliminaries begin next month. 

But more importantly, the June 3rd2026 World Cup qualifying match against South Africa and days later on June 9th, they will be away at Benin Republic.

Pundits have suggested that the Football House is more disposed to the renewal of the Portuguese gaffer’s contract because of the impressive show of the team at the AFCON 2023 and should be able to pilot Eagles to the next World Cup in 2026 after a shaky start.

But Peseiro’s camp according to some sources, have other plans of either seeking a pay rise or dumping the team for a better offer  and working condition in North Africa with Tunisia as a possible country on his radar.