Nigeria Football Federation Eyes Portuguese Manager As Successor to Departing Jose Peseiro, Report

Nigeria Football Federation Eyes Portuguese Manager As Successor to Departing Jose Peseiro, Report

Ero Samson
updated at March 17, 2024 at 5:07 AM
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  • The vacant Super Eagles coaching role has continued to generate significant conversation
  • The Nigeria Football Federation have received several applications since announcing a vacancy
  • A report of another Portuguese coach being the favourite to replace Jose Peseiro has surfaced

The quest to find an ideal replacement for the vacant Super Eagles coaching position continues to generate significant discussions across Nigeria's footballing circles.

The three-time Cup of Nations winners saw their previous manager, Jose Peseiro, depart his role after clinching second place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have wasted little time declaring the position vacant, and a wave of applications from coaches around the world has flooded their inboxes.

Nigeria, AFCON, Jose Peseiro, CAF, Super Eagles, Africa Cup of Nations.
Jose Peseiro departed his role as coach of the Super Eagles after failing to agree a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation. Image: Ulrik Pedersen.
Source: Getty Images

However, amid the long list of managers who are reported to have submitted their application for the Super Eagles coaching role, a report from OwnGoalNigeria, has stated that a Portuguese gaffer might be a frontrunner to take the helm as the next Nigeria coach.

Another Portuguese to replace Peseiro?

According to the report, Portuguese coach, Antonio Conceicao, is the prime candidate to take over as the next Super Eagles gaffer.

The report highlights that the 62-year-old is ahead of Michael Nsien, who is rumoured to be the NFF President's preferred choice and Emmanuel Amunike, a fan favourite championed by many stakeholders.

The well-travelled Portuguese coach boasts an impressive resume, having managed clubs like SC C Braga, Vitoria Setubal, Naval and CFR Cluj.

Coach Conceicao, was also previously in charge of Cameroon between 2019 and 2022. The former CFR Cluj coach notably led the Indomitable Lions to third place at the AFCON in 2022.

It has to be stated that this is not Conceicao's first attempt at the Super Eagles job. He reportedly applied for the position in May 2023, and now appears on the verge of finally getting his chance.

Peseiro names most exciting Super Eagles game

Sports Brief in another report stated former Real Madrid assistant coach, Peseiro, named his most exciting fixture with the Nigeria national team.

The 63-year-old was the coach of the West African nation for 22 months. The Portuguese recorded a flurry of impressive results, but he opted for a crunch fixture at the AFCON in Ivory Coast, as his favourite of them all.

Authors
Ero Samson photo
Ero Samson
Samson Ero is a sports journalist with a track record of over five years in the Nigerian media industry. He graduated from Nigerian Institute of Journalism (2021-2023).
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Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)