Jose Peseiro’s future as the Super Eagles coach is currently being decided by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
It is, however, suggested that Peseiro could be set to leave his role with the national team.
Peseiro’s previous one-year contract expired in July 2023, with the NFF reportedly proposing a pay cut for the Portuguese to keep his job.
He was appointed in May 2022, but the clause of qualifying and reaching the final 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, which will now be played in January 2024, has cast doubt on whether he will continue on the job till next year as his contract is reported to have expired.
Gusau said the NFF would consult with the technical committee regarding Peseiro’s future, saying, “I can not say Peseiro will continue as the Super Eagles coach, we have a Technical committee, and we have to listen to their recommendation. I am optimistic that Nigerians will be happy with our decision.
“It’s not supposed to end at the end of June, you know the AFCON was supposed to be from June to July (2023) before it was postponed (to 2024), so the contract basically should have ended by July. We are still in talks with him and his lawyers on that issue.
“Basically, what the contract talks are about is that he should qualify the team to the Nations Cup and lead the team to the final, but unfortunately, we have an issue that has made CAF shift the tournament to January, so it has affected the whole situation. We will conclude very soon,” Gusau said.
He further hinted that the federation was set to part ways with Peseiro, saying they needed to speak with the player’s lawyers.
“We are discussing with Peseiro and his lawyers and hope to conclude with him soon. We have the last qualifying game next month, and we should make a statement before the game.”
Since Peseiro’s tenure with the Super Eagles after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, they have claimed a place at the 2023 AFCON coming up in Ivory Coast.
However, the Portuguese manager may not be allowed to lead the team to the tournament if he is dismissed before the final qualification games in September.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to take on Sao Tome and Principe in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next month.
