Jose Peseiro, the head coach of the Nigerian national football team, has agreed to a significant pay cut to continue leading the Super Eagles.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently revealed that Peseiro’s monthly salary will now stand at $50,000 (£39,600), down from the previous $70,000 (£55,400) due to financial constraints.
Peseiro’s previous contract had expired in June, but the Portuguese tactician had only received three months’ worth of salary since assuming his role in May 2022.
Despite these financial challenges, the 63-year-old coach has accepted the formidable task of guiding the Super Eagles to at least the semi-finals of the upcoming Nations Cup set to kick off in Ivory Coast in January.
Apart from his responsibilities with the senior team, Peseiro will also oversee the Super Eagles B side, comprising locally-based professionals, competing in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Under Peseiro’s tenure, Nigeria faced scrutiny from both local media and fans after failing to secure a spot in the 2022 World Cup. The team’s record stands at four wins and five losses, with a dramatic stoppage-time goal by Kelechi Iheanacho securing their qualification for Afcon during a nail-biting match against Sierra Leone.
Despite these challenges, the NFF decided to retain Peseiro, considering the impending 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
An NFF official remarked, “We actually considered the fast-approaching World Cup qualifiers, and this new deal expires at the end of the Nations Cup. There is the general feeling that the coach may also feel like he has some unfinished business with the team.”
To continue his coaching journey with Nigeria, Peseiro will rely on a mix of experienced and uncapped talents in their final Afcon qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe on September 10.
Promising newcomers like Victor Boniface, Gift Orban, and Jordan Torunarigha have been called up, alongside the return of seasoned players like Tyronne Ebuehi, Raphael Onyedika, and Jamilu Collins.
Notably, Alex Iwobi, the new Fulham signing, is sidelined due to injury, while top talents like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and Taiwo Awoniyi will be vital for Nigeria’s campaign in the coming months. As the Super Eagles strive to secure their final Afcon qualification point, fans eagerly await Peseiro’s strategy and the team’s performance in the months ahead.
