Sports
I Never Said I’ll Join Eagles After AFCON – Peseiro
Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro has stated he never confirmed to the Nigeria Football Federation that he was going to accept the Super Eagles job after the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations.
The NFF stated in December that they had met virtually to deliberate, among other issues, the appointment of Peseiro as the new head coach of the Eagles following the termination of Gernot Rohr’s contract and added that the former Saudi Arabia coach would take over the team after the AFCON.
“After careful consideration of a memo presented by Chairman of the Technical and Development Sub-Committee, the Executive Committee endorsed a proposal for the appointment of Mr Jose Peseiro as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, following the end of the relationship with Mr Gernot Rohr,” the statement reads in part.
“However, the Committee resolved that Mr. Augustine Eguavoen, named the interim Head Coach, will lead the Super Eagles to AFCON 2021 in Cameroon with Mr. Peseiro only playing the role of observer.
“It was unanimously agreed that the AFCON is a good avenue for Mr. Peseiro to launch a working relationship with Mr. Eguavoen, who will revert to his role as Technical Director (hence, Mr Peseiro’s immediate boss) after the AFCON.”
However, the NFF on Monday announced that Eguavoen would remain in charge of the Eagles and would be assisted by former U-20 coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, Salisu Yusuf and Joseph Yobo.
Tidesports source reports that in what could be a reaction to the NFF announcement, Peseiro stated on Twitter that he did not confirm to the NFF that he would take over the Eagles job.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
News2 days agoStakeholders Tasks Fubara on recognition of Nwoga As Nzeobi of Egbema kingdom ….laud Tinubu for lifting Emergency in the state
-
Sports2 days agoPalace End Liverpool’s Invincibility
-
Sports7 hours ago2026 World Cup: FIFPro sounds alarm over ‘extreme’ conditions
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoReps C’mitee Moves To Resolve Dangote, NUPENG Dispute
-
News2 days agoChina sentences former Agric minister to death
-
Rivers6 hours ago
Eight Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs Win N2.4m In Youth Enterprise Challenge
-
Sports2 days agoMakinde Expresses Readiness To Host Super Eagles
-
Niger Delta2 days agoWarri Crisis: Oborevwori Sues For Peace