The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that they are unable to comply with the requests of some Nigerians to terminate the contract of the Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro. The coach has been under fire following a series of poor results that have jeopardized the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Although the NFF board member Nse Essien has expressed disappointment with Peseiro’s performance, financial constraints have reportedly prevented them from terminating his contract.
The call for Peseiro’s dismissal grew in intensity after the team’s recent draw with Zimbabwe in their second game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series. This came after an embarrassing draw with Lesotho in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, three days earlier.
Since Peseiro’s appointment, the Super Eagles have secured only six victories out of 13 games, indicating little progress from the team’s performance under the previous coach, Gernot Rohr, who was dismissed in 2021. As discontent among Nigerian football fans grows, NFF Chief Essien revealed the complexity of the situation.
“It is unfortunate that we have only earned two points from two games instead of six,” lamented
“However, when people demand that the NFF should terminate the coach’s contract, we remind them that we didn’t employ him. It was the sports ministry that employed him, and they should have paid his salary. But up till now, they have not paid a dime.”
Complicating matters, Essien highlighted the financial burden associated with terminating Peseiro’s contract. The NFF is reportedly unable to afford the compensation, given Peseiro’s monthly salary of approximately $70,000, putting them in a challenging situation.
“We have to respect his contract, but if we had the money to give him, why wouldn’t we relieve him because we are not happy,” Essien added.
Meanwhile, Egyptian club Zamalek is reportedly considering Peseiro as a potential successor to Juan Carlos Osorio.
