The Nigeria Football Federation have announced that a contract extension has been reached with Jose Santos Peseiro for the Portuguese to continue in his role as Head Coach of the Super Eagles, www.aclsports.com reports.
There have been multiple reports in the local media that Peseiro was leaving, with Super Eagles assistant coach and current Enyimba head coach Finidi George touted as one of his temporary replacements for the final Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Sao Tome & Principe next weekend, but all of that has changed after the 63-year-old took a pay-cut to remain with the 2013 AFCON winners.
As stipulated in the initial contract, signed in May 2022, the Portuguese has been tasked to lead the Super Eagles to, at least the semi-finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in Cote d’Ivoire happening next January. In addition to that, he has now agreed to take charge of the Super Eagles B – the home-based players who play in the African Nations Championship.
Meanwhile, Peseiro has elected to invite vice-captain William Ekong, defender Tyronne Ebuehi and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, and Taiwo Awoniyi, among others, for next weekend’s final AFCON Qualifier match against Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday, 10 September at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Belgium-based centre-back Jordan Torunarigha and forwards Victor Boniface and Gift Orban are invited for the first time, and there are recalls for Portugal-based left-back Bruno Onyemaechi and defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika.
Nigeria, who have already qualified for next year’s AFCON, are on 12 points from their previous five matches but must earn at least a point to be sure of topping the group ahead of second-placed Guinea Bissau, who are on 10 points and play at home to Sierra Leone in Bissau.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS
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)
Image credit: Pooja
