By Akinwale Kasali
Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro could be on his way out as the National Team Coach following the shambolic display of the team at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon losing 4-0 to Portugal in an International Friendly.
Two goals in each half saw the three time African Cup of Nations Champion succumb to one of its heaviest defeat in recent times.
A brace from Bruno Fernandes and a goal apiece from Diogo Dalot and Joao Mario gave the 2022 Qatar World Cup participants a convincing victory in their last warm up match before the World showpiece.
Nigerians had expected that the Super Eagles to perform brilliantly against the highly rated European Champions but the National Team was just a shadow of itself as it failed to lived up to fans expectations.
Teeming fans of the National Team who are still yet to come to terms with the failure of the Super Eagles to be at the Qatar 2022 World Cup are how we calling for the sack of Peseiro.
Since resuming office over Six Months ago, Peseiro have won just two Competitive Match that includes the 2-1 win over Sierra and 10- 0 drubbing of São Tomé and Principe, losing to Mexico 2-1, Ecuador 1-0, Algeria 2-1 and playing a 2-2 draw with the Algeria B Team.
In Seven Matches since assumption, Peseiro has lost four matches, won two and draw one which has been widely criticized by soccers fans.
James Udume, a soccer analysts is perturbed that despite the shambolic display of the Super Eagles in recent matches the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has not wielded the big stick on Peseiro.
“This is not the Super Eagles we saw played brilliantly at the African Cup of Nations held earlier this year. Peseiro hasn’t done anything spectacular to the team, he is no difference to Gernot Rohr. The NFF should sack him immediately”.
Another Soccer enthusiast, Femi Gbadamosi said that Peseiro is just experimenting with the National Team, calling on the NFF to call him to order.
“How can we lose 4-0 to Portugal. It is a shame and a disgrace. We have lost the flair, aerial strength and confidence. It is so painful. The players and the coaching crew needs to be lashed”.
Femi Olusesi, a football fan said that with this performance it is better that we didn’t qualify for the World Cup that it could have a disaster and a big embarrassment if we are been battered.
“It saddens me when I see that the national team lacks the determination, accuracy, tenacity and will power. We failed to create any meaningful chance throughout the whole 90 minutes. The penalty we managed to get, we could see how Paul Onuachu and Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis were dragging to take the spot kick until it was squandered by an over ambitious Dennis.
“We still have a long way to go, and I will advise that the NFF should charge the Coaching Crew to do better or sack them”.
Though Peseiro has indicated his disappointment on the outing by his players, but was fast to defend Dennis for his penalty miss which swayed the advantage to the Portuguese.
He said his team were poor in the first half, but improved after the break.
“I am sad, 4-0 was too big a defeat,” he admitted.
“In the first half, we did not start well, we did show good organization, didn’t pressure the opponents.
“It’s also true they have so much quality and that way they created their superiority.
“We were better in the second half, that we can cope against a big team like Portugal.
“If we had scored at that moment, we could try to draw the game, but then we suffered letting in two more goals soon after and we lost our balance,” he explained.
“He (Dennis)missed a penalty, but next time he can score. Who is the player in the world who does not miss a penalty?
“It was Dennis missing and he has my protection”, he said.
