By Melody Gross 
Having already failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Nigeria, coached by Jose Peseiro, did not start their qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the ideal way. The 1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe left the Eagles in second place in Group C, one match behind South Africa, who are the first and only direct qualifiers for the final stage of the competition.
Given the poor results, Essien, a member of the Nigerian Football Federation, admitted that Jose Peseiro is unable to lead the team and the lack of capabilities is the only thing preventing the Portuguese from being expelled.
“If we had the money [para indemnizar Peseiro]We are ready to fire you from your position, and we are not satisfied. Everyone is demanding the coach’s dismissal. It’s bad that out of six possible points we only have two. He said in statements confirmed by the French news agency: “We are in a dangerous situation.”
We must remember that Jose Peseiro’s continuation of leadership of the Nigerian national team, last summer, depended on the will of the fans, through paid phone calls. Despite the non-payment of salaries, the Portuguese coach remained at the helm of the Super Eagles team.
Jose Peseiro has coached Nigeria since May last year, after selecting the team to participate in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, which was held between January and February, where they will face Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau in the group stage.