Peseiro Would Have Qualified Eagles For 2026 World Cup, Says Taiwo

Anthony Ufoh

Former Super Eagles defender Taye Taiwo has stated that had the former coach of the national team not been sacked, he would have ensured that the team qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Peseiro led the Super Eagles to the finals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which took place in the Ivory Coast in 2023, after which he stepped down as the coach of the team.

He had indicated interest in continuing as the manager of the national team, but the authorities at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The former AC Milan of Italy defender made this comment in an interview with Sporty TV as he stated that had Peseiro been allowed to continue with the team, the Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup would be a done deal.

He said, “If Nigeria had left the coach (Peseiro) who led us to the Nations Cup, even though we lost to the Ivory Coast. If they had left the coach, they would have qualified for the World Cup, because the players are always out for him; they work very hard.

“Throughout the whole competition, we may not have played good games, but we made it to the finals.”

Reflecting on his own era in the national team, the former Olympique Marseille defender highlighted the importance of communication and discipline among players—especially in defence.

“As the defenders, we talk to ourselves and roast ourselves because we don’t want to concede goals,” Taye continued.

“As for the midfielders, they do their jobs, and the strikers do theirs.

“We always talk to each other. If someone makes a mistake, we will have to shout at them. You can’t allow these types of mistakes.

“We always talk to ourselves. When a mistake is made, we tell them not to worry about it, that next time he has to do better.”

Taiwo also drew a contrast between his generation of players and the current squad, noting a lack of insight into the team’s chemistry today.

“I don’t know this generation because it is different. I’m not in their group, not in their team list, and I have never been in their group to see how it is done.

“All I see is from the television or what’s on the internet; I don’t know either. They like each other.

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the global football competition is going to be determined by the team beating the Cheetahs of Benin Republic today in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while hoping that Rwanda defeat the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.