A member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee, Nse Essien, has revealed that the football body will not be able to pay off the Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, his compensatory fees if they relieve him of his job now.
The Portuguese gaffer has come under intense pressure after his side played out two straight draws against Lesotho on Thursday and Zimbabwe on Sunday respectively in their Group C World Cup qualifiers, putting Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup in serious jeopardy.
Walter Musona scored direct from a free kick to put Zimbabwe ahead in the first half before Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho equalised for Nigeria midway through the second half.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Essien said he wasn’t oblivious to the calls for Peseiro’s sack but the NFF was incapacitated by monetary constraints.
“If we had the money (to pay for compensation), we would be willing to relieve him of his job, we’re not happy,” NFF member Essien told reporters.
“Everybody is asking for the sack of the head coach. It’s unfortunate that from a possible six points we only have two points. We’re in a very precarious situation,” he stated.
South Africa leads Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with three points and will be expected to widen the gap on Tuesday when they visit Rwanda, while Lesotho host Benin in South Africa.
Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, have two points from many matches.
The qualifiers will resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hoping to make up lost ground when they welcome South Africa to the southern city of Uyo, before a tricky trip to Benin Republic.
