The Nigeria Football Federation and Jose Santos Peseiro have solidified their partnership, confirming Peseiro’s continuation as the Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team of Nigeria, the illustrious Super Eagles.
As per the original contract, penned in May 2022, Portuguese maestro Peseiro has been entrusted with the mission to steer the Super Eagles to, at the very least, the semi-finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, slated to unfold in Cote d’Ivoire in a matter of months.
Peseiro has adeptly guided the Super Eagles through the qualifiers, securing their spot with a game to spare, including an awe-inspiring 10-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in Agadir, Morocco, in June 2022.
Remarkably, Peseiro has graciously accepted revised terms that include a salary adjustment, reaffirming his commitment to the Super Eagles. Furthermore, he has been entrusted with the leadership of the Super Eagles B, a squad comprising homegrown talents that contends in the biennial African Nations Championship.
Peseiro Invites Boniface, 20 Others for Sao Tome and Principe
Coach Peseiro has extended invitations to an impressive roster of players, including the on-field captain William Ekong, defenders Tyronne Ebuehi and Semi Ajayi, midfield maestros Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and the dynamic forwards Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, and Taiwo Awoniyi, among others. These talented athletes are summoned for the forthcoming fixture against Sao Tome and Principe, slated for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday, September 10.
While Nigeria has already secured their berth in the finals, accumulating an impressive 12 points from their previous five matches, the team must clinch at least a single point to secure their pole position within the group. This will ensure they outshine second-placed Guinea Bissau, who currently hold 10 points and are set to face Sierra Leone on home turf in Bissau.
Peseiro’s selections for this crucial match include some exciting newcomers, such as Belgium-based centre-back Jordan Torunarigha, along with the talented forwards Victor Boniface and Gift Orban. Additionally, there are noteworthy comebacks, featuring Portugal-based left-back Bruno Onyemaechi and the resilient defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika.
Super Eagles Squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Gift Orban (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany)
