Peseiro, Finidi, Chelle: Rating All Coaches As Nigeria Suffer World Cup Qualification Blow
- The Super Eagles are set to miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico
- Having managed just two wins from eight matches, Nigeria's chances of qualification now hang by a thread
- A total of four coaches have led the team in the campaign as the desperate NFF sought for solution in a bid to get results
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are on the verge of missing out on yet another FIFA World Cup following their 1-1 draw with South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Nigeria have managed just two wins from eight matches, playing five draws which ended one-apiece, and then lost one to the Benin Republic.
It has been a dismal campaign for the three-time African champions, who have paraded some of the biggest stars from the continent, including the reigning CAF Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman.
Source: Getty Images
Having finished the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as runners-up behind the winners and hosts Ivory Coast, the Super Eagles were tipped to qualify for the World Cup.
When the draw for the World Cup qualification was released in July 2023, no one imagined Nigeria would struggle, as it has been a poor outing, per BBC.
Four coaches have led the team in the eight matches played so far, but they could all manage a combined 11 points in eight matches.
Jose Peseiro - 2 points from a possible 6
Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro was in charge of the first two matches as Nigeria played 1-1 draws with Lesotho and then Zimbabwe.
Peseiro could only help the team to two points from a possible six, and he was sacked, following calls for the appointment of an indigenous coach.
- November 16, 2023: Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho
- November 20, 2023: Zimbabwe 1-1 Nigeria
Finidi George - 1 point from a possible 6
On April 29, 2024, a former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George, who was in charge of NPFL club Enyimba, was appointed to take charge of the national team
He prepared the squad for the showdown against Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
It ended in yet another 1-1 draw with Themba Zwane opening the scoring in the 28th minute before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru drew level in the 46th minute.
The Super Eagles then lost to 2-1 Benin Republic in Abidjan, leaving players and fans furious before the eventual resignation of Finidi as head coach.
- June 7, 2024: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
- June 10, 2024: Benin 2-1 Nigeria
Augustine Eguavoen - 4 points from a possible 6
The Nigeria Football Federation then looked inward, calling on its technical director, Augustine Eguavoen, to temporarily lead the team.
After failure to appoint a permanent manager, the former national defender took charge of the qualifiers in March 2025.
He led the team to their first win following a 2-0 win over the Amavubi of Rwanda at the packed Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Eguavoen's side, however, would go on to drop points against Zimbabwe in Uyo after conceding a last-minute goal.
- March 20, 2025: Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
- March 25, 2025: Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe
Eric Chelle - 4 points from a possible 6
On January 7, 2025, former Mali head coach Eric Chelle was appointed to take charge, with the main task to secure World Cup qualification.
Having led the team to the Unity Cup title, Nigerians had hope he could put the team back in contention for the ticket by beating Rwanda and South Africa.
Nigeria needed maximum points to put themselves back on track, and the tactician started on a good note, defeating Rwanda in Uyo.
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However, despite strong performance in Bloemfontein, the Super Eagles could only manage a 1-1 draw, dashing the World Cup hopes.
- September 6, 2025: Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda
- September 9, 2025: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria
Source: Getty Images
FIFA to sanction South Africa?
Legit.ng earlier reported that South Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been overshadowed by claims of fielding an ineligible player, which could cost Hugo Broos’ side dearly.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena picked up two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers, which should have warranted a one-match suspension.
Source: Legit.ng
