Former Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro Takes Aim at Eric Chelle After AFCON Bronze
Former Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has delivered a pointed message to current Nigeria manager Eric Chelle, two months after the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco. The Portuguese tactician, who led Nigeria between 2022 and 2024, reaching the 2023 AFCON final, has offered his critical assessment of the team's performance under the Franco-Malian coach.
Nigeria's 2025 AFCON Campaign and Bronze Medal Achievement
Nigeria secured a bronze medal at the 2025 AFCON by defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The Super Eagles played seven matches throughout the tournament, recording five victories and two draws, remaining undefeated in regular time across the entire competition. Despite this impressive record, the third-place finish has drawn criticism from Peseiro, who believes Nigeria should have reached the final.
The Nigeria Football Federation appointed Eric Chelle in January 2025 after Nigeria's disappointing start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they managed just three points from four matches under the previous coaching setup of Peseiro and Finidi George. Chelle subsequently guided Nigeria to second place in CAF qualification Group C, behind South Africa, and qualified for the continental playoffs before losing to DR Congo in the final round.
Peseiro's Subtle Criticism and High Expectations
According to reports from Afrik-Foot NG, the 66-year-old Peseiro stated that Nigeria had no excuse for failing to reach the 2025 AFCON final given the quality within the squad. The former Al-Ula coach emphasized that Nigeria remains one of Africa's premier football nations, with every tournament bringing high expectations. Peseiro pointed to his own achievement of reaching the 2023 AFCON final as evidence of what should be expected from any coach handling the Super Eagles.
"Nigeria is one of the major footballing nations in Africa and every tournament brings high expectations," Peseiro said. "Any coach handling the team is expected to reach the AFCON final, and we accomplished that two years ago, our best finish in a long time."
The former Al Ahly manager clearly believes that finishing in third place fell below the standard expected for a team of Nigeria's caliber and footballing heritage.
Chelle's Recent Success and Contract Situation
Despite Peseiro's criticism, Eric Chelle has achieved notable success since taking charge of the Super Eagles. The former Mali coach guided Nigeria to victory in the 2025 Unity Cup, defeating Jamaica in the final after just four months in charge. Nigerian fans have embraced Chelle's attacking style of play, and current players have responded positively to his coaching methods.
The Nigeria Football Federation is reportedly facing difficulties in negotiating Chelle's contract extension, as the coach's demands have not been met. This situation has created uncertainty around his future with the national team, even as he continues to build on his early accomplishments.
Background on Peseiro's Departure and Current Status
The Nigeria Football Federation sacked Jose Peseiro in March 2024 following the Super Eagles' 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final. Peseiro was in charge of the Nigerian national team for 22 months before walking away after his contract expired, despite efforts from the NFF to renew his agreement.
Since leaving his position with Nigeria, Peseiro has remained unemployed, though he has recently spoken about his dream job aspirations. The Portuguese coach's comments about Chelle and Nigeria's AFCON performance represent his most direct public assessment of his successor's work to date.
The contrasting perspectives between the former and current Super Eagles coaches highlight the ongoing debate about Nigeria's football expectations and the pressure facing any manager of the national team. As Nigeria prepares for future competitions, including the 2027 AFCON, the standards set by past performances continue to shape expectations for current and future coaches.
