Peseiro reveals why he left Super Eagles

With the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) unable to name a substantive coach for the senior football national team, former Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has revealed his reasons for quitting Nigeria’s men’s national football team amidst contract renewal talks with the NFF.

After leading the Eagles to a second-place finish at the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast this past February, Peseiro announced his decision to leave, despite widespread speculation that he might stay on for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and upcoming AFCON qualifiers.

Reflecting on his departure, Peseiro said that his decision was made before the tournament even began: “I don’t know, I think it was one moment I liked, but I decided, when I started the AFCON, that when I finished my contract, I would leave. I decided at that moment.”

Peseiro admitted that while he would have loved to win a trophy for Nigeria, he felt he had reached his limit in the role: “Because, yes, I put too much effort into my job. Too much stress. Okay, but I gave my all, along with my staff and the players. The players were the best part, but I think it was enough.”