NFF, SuperEagles, and Peserio are at an inflection point.

[OJI]

Let us recognize,and appreciate where the SuperEagles are in terms of mindset, and renewal/rejuvenation.

From the defeatist, self fulfilling Rohr era (“opposing teams are higher ranked”,” here to learn”, “the players are not in the top clubs”), to AFCON 2022 early stage exit, QATAR 2022 non qualification, to the Peserio transition era (pre AFCON lackluster performances to a defense first-philosophy that led to an AFCON Final, albeit coordinated attacking flows) to the next era. The era of redemption, reinvigorated football and a thriving Nigerian global football brand, and identity (ranking, and expected positive performances and/or outcomes). An era anchored on the past 8 years of investment in youth soccer, and academies. An era based on products of superlative U17 WC performances.

Ladies, and Gentlemen, to state the obvious, we are at a critical inflection point.

Is Peserio the appropriate coach to usher the next golden era of SuperEagles football?

Is there an alignment of ambition, mindset, and vision with the players, and the NFF?

Can a journeyman be trusted to shepherd the ambitions of the NFF, players, and football loving Nigerians?

Is Peserio really the right person?

What made him relatively succeed at the AFCON? Are those attributes still available for his prosecution of the next qualifying matches, and the Nigerian renewal project? One of Peserio’s Critical Success Factor (CSF) was the need for training longevity, and player adoption of his techniques/tactics. The SuperEagles had pre training camp in the UAE, and 4 weeks of in tournament training. Is this factor available for the AFCON 2025 or WC 2026 qualifiers? No. All countries suffer the same issue.

Pre AFCON, and throughout the AFCON, there were no coordinated offensive plays but reliance on Lookman and Simon to step up. CAF Player of the Year, Osimhen, a prolific forward was reduced to more defensive work than being liberated to score. The absence of a midfield to initiate forward looking thrusts were apparent. Nigeria’s attacking moves were essentially built on the brilliance, and hard work of the players. No goals from freekicks, and one goal from a corner kick. Essentially the attacking approach was one dimensional. Not multifaceted.

Will Peserio’s defense-first approach, with the opposing team typically dominating possession, work against offense-based teams like Argentina, Brazil, France should Nigeria qualify to the WC? Essentially offering these teams 90 mins of practice session in a WC setting.

Pre AFCON, the paucity of goals, and underwhelming attacking model left Nigeria struggling with Lesotho, Zimbabwe and other lower ranked minnows. Highlighting the bankruptcy, and tension underpinning the Peserio approach.

NFF’s institutional memory, and the fans' collective memory (WC 94 against Italy, WC 2018 against Argentina, to say the least) highlight the general understanding that 1 goal leads are NOT enough at high stakes matches. Most fans understand it, but it appears Peserio was comfortable, and secure in the knowledge that a 1 goal lead would suffice. Are our collective lessons integrated into Peserio’s framework? It appears not. The full squad were not properly rotated given the heat and humidity of CIV, and the dynamics of the matches. The intensity of AFCON competitive matches left players not match or tournament fit out of the equation. His defense-first style, and inclination to execute each match akin to a final yielded results but eventually led to fatigue, and burnout from the heavily utilized starters.

Are Nigeria fans offering a very expensive internship to Peserio? An internship whose outcomes might haunt them? He is at best a journeyman. NON qualification to WC 2026, AFCON 2025 just means another door being banged on him, a learning opportunity, and off to another destination to experiment with.

Can the federation, and fans deal with 2 consecutive non qualification to the world cup with its missed FIFA renumerations, lost sponsorship opportunities, and wounded pride? The SuperEagles project is bigger than Peserio. The collective aspirations of 200Million+ Nigerians, and the Federation is at stake. The financial fortune of the Federation is stake.

Peserio appears to be comfortable with Ahmed Musa as opposed to his NFF appointed assistant George Finidi. Will he trust, and digest the post tournament assessments or double down? Will he evolve?
Will he mandate above average pre match fitness requirements to all players given his enervating football philosophy? Teams in tournaments tend to have matches every 3 or 4 days. Evidently, patterns of physical activity some players were not used to.

AS of Feb 15, 2024 Nigeria is 3rd in the WC qualifying group. Outright victories in subsequent matches is the only way to keep the WC 2026 qualification on track. 2 matches with South Africa hell bent on a revenge mission, and renewed belief in qualifying to the 2026 WC present a major obstacle. Are Nigerians prepared to qualify as one of the 4th best runners up, and engage in an intercontinental playoff drama?

Will Peserio rise to the occasion if given the opportunity to continue? His track record re integration of attacking talents is dismal. His reactive, late stage match management leaves much to be desired.

At least 6 Nigerian strikers starting in their club in decent leagues can’t seem to click in the Nigerian setup. What do all the European clubs where these player ply their trade see, and implement that Peserio ignores, does not acknowledge, understand or seem unable to replicate?

Does Peserio get the Nigerian football mentality, and/or inclination? I repeat, can Nigeria afford the luxury of an extended internship?

It appears 2026 qualification will rest on managing the coach as opposed to managing the deployment of invited players.

Which is critical?

In hindsight, it appears Peserio was the right person to handle the transition. Is he the right person to take the SuperEagles to the next level?

[gochino]

Ok great, now let's wake up and focus on our world cup qualifiers. Reality check: We are in a bad state after drawing with Lesotho and Zimbabwe! This defensive football won't help us in the qualification because we are behind, you don't play defensive football when you are at the buttom of the group, do you? Also we have been figured out since the Angola game, we were just lucky to get past South Africa, and guess what? We will be meeting them again.

[Bigpokey24]

6

Ok great, now let's wake up and focus on our world cup qualifiers. Reality check: We are in a bad state after drawing with Lesotho and Zimbabwe! This defensive football won't help us in the qualification because we are behind, you don't play defensive football when you are at the buttom of the group, do you? Also we have been figured out since the Angola game, we were just lucky to get past South Africa, and guess what? We will be meeting them again.

Can you tell us the last time South Africa won a game in 90 mins.

These were their results at Afcon.
,
Lost to Mali, defeated Namibia , tied Tunisia, defeated Morocco, tied Cape Verde, Nigeria and DR Cong

WCQ, lost to Rwabda 2 zip and defeated Benin 1 zero at home.

I wonder how it where you got the notion about South Africa.
The played 7 games and won 2

[Enugu II]

Ok great, now let's wake up and focus on our world cup qualifiers. Reality check: We are in a bad state after drawing with Lesotho and Zimbabwe! This defensive football won't help us in the qualification because we are behind, you don't play defensive football when you are at the buttom of the group, do you? Also we have been figured out since the Angola game, we were just lucky to get past South Africa, and guess what? We will be meeting them again.

Actually, that defensive scheme will be important when SE goes to South Africa, particularly if it is not the last game and if it occurs before Nigeria hosts them.