Super Eagles Coach Peseiro Reveals Stunning Reason Why Nigeria Didn't Play in 2018 World Cup Final

Super Eagles Coach Peseiro Reveals Stunning Reason Why Nigeria Didn't Play in 2018 World Cup Final

Nomso Obiajuru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:53 PM
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  • NFF boss Amaju Pinnick says Peseiro told him that Nigeria could have played the 2018 World cup final if errors were avoided
  • Pinnick says that Peseiro will live in Nigeria as he will have a house in Abuja and a guest house in Lagos
  • The total number of players in Eagles camp stands at 23 at the moment as Nigeria’s preparation for this month’s African Cup of Nations hits top gear

The Super Eagles of Nigeria could have played the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick, said the new head coach of the national team Jose Peseiro disclosed this to him.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Pinnick also noted that Peseiro will live in Nigeria, precisely in Abuja, and will have a guest house in Lagos.

Super Eagles Coach Peseiro says Nigeria could have Played in 2018 World Cup Final if not for errors
Super Eagles Coach Peseiro says Nigeria could have Played in 2018 World Cup Final if not for errors. Photo by Wagner Meier
Source: Getty Images

Explaining why the former Venezuela coach Peseiro was hired by NFF on Monday, January 3, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick said the Portuguese believed that Nigeria could have played the 2018 World cup final against France if errors were avoided.

Pinnick said: “If you look at Peseiro, when I was talking to him, he was talking as if he has been coaching the Super Eagles for a long time.
“He said to me, ‘listen, Nigeria, you played against Croatia (at 2018 World Cup) in your World Cup opening match, they did not over dominate you.
“It was 45%/55% ball possession. And he said ‘Croatia eventually played in the final of the World Cup, it could have been Nigeria playing in the final. That maybe one or two things were not done properly.
“I got impressed. And he brought the Wyscout, a software to analyze the strength of your players.
“He gave me the analyses of every one of our players scientifically. I was taking aback.
“When he spoke with the technical group in the interview, I was just an observer, we are all impressed.”
Pinnick added: “He (Peseiro) will stay in Nigeria, he will have a house in Abuja and a guest house in Lagos. He will be moving to watch games in Nigeria and it is certain.”

Super Eagles Camp Bubbles as 23 Players Hit Camp for AFCON

Earlier, Sportsbrief had reported that Nigeria’s preparation for this month’s African Cup of Nations is hitting top gear as Kelechi Iheanacho is the latest player to hit the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja.

Iheanacho linked up with the team on Tuesday morning, January 4, making the total number of players in camp rise to 23 according to the Media officer of the team Babafemi Raji.

The Leicester City forward linked up with the likes of fellow club mate Wilfred Ndidi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Semi-Ajayi, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Nwakali, and Frank Onyeka who all joined up with the squad earlier in the day.

Other players already in camp include captain Ahmed Musa, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sadiq Umar, Maduka Okoye, Peter Olayinka, John Noble, Henry Onyekuru, and Moses Simon.

Zaidu Sanusi, Francis Uzoho, Chidozie Awaziem, Chidera Ejuke, Daniel Akpeyi, and Olisa Ndah complete the list of 23 in the Super Eagles camp.

Players still expected to hit the Super Eagles training base in Abuja include Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo, Samuel Chukwueze, Jamilu Collins, Tyrone Ebuehi, and Odion Ighalo.

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Nomso Obiajuru
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