2026 WCQ: Amid Strings Of Poor Results, NFF Reveals Why Peseiro Can’t Be Sacked

Following a string of poor results at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches which has seen Nigeria tethering on the brink of not qualifying for a second consecutive World Cup tournament, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Council member, Nse Essien, has dropped a bombshell on why the country cannot afford to sack its underperforming head coach, Jose Peseiro.

Nigeria has failed to record a victory in its first two World Cup qualifying games earning only two points from the two games played.

Reacting to this worrisome development, the football body would not hesitate to pay off Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro if funds were available.

Calls for the sack of Peseiro intensified after the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in the qualifier on Sunday.

Prior to the game against Zimbabwe, Peseiro’s side had forced a 1-1 draw with lowly Lesotho in Uyo on Thursday.

“If you check the internet almost everyone is asking for the sack of the head coach” Essien said in a video posted on X.

“It’s unfortunate that out of six points, we have just two and we find ourselves in a very precarious situation.

“When people say NFF should sack the head coach, we didn’t employ him, if you look at it, the Sports Ministry employed him and are supposed to have paid their salaries but up till now, they’ve not paid a dime.

“If you sack the coach now who pays for compensation? So that’s where we find ourselves. Not a dime has been paid to this coach who is earning about $70,000 every month.

“We have to respect his contract but if we have the money to give to him we are going to relieve him definitely, we are not happy“.

Up next for the Eagles is the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

They will resume the World Cup qualifiers in June 2024 with a home game against South Africa on matchday three.