- A Super Eagles star has blamed former coaches Jose Peseiro and Finidi George for Nigeria’s woes in the World Cup qualifiers
- Nigeria sit third in Group C, six points behind South Africa with two games left
- Hopes now rest on South Africa losing points and a possible FIFA sanction to keep Nigeria’s chances alive
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken a major hit after a frustrating 1-1 draw with South Africa.
The Super Eagles now sit third in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa with only two games left.
Source: Getty Images
One of the Super Eagles’ key players has now spoken out, blaming Nigeria’s former coaches Jose Peseiro and Finidi George, for the team’s poor position in the qualifiers.
Speaking anonymously to OwnGoalNigeria, the player said both coaches’ decisions left Nigeria chasing the group’s leaders instead of leading the race themselves.
Poor start under Peseiro to blame
Jose Peseiro led Nigeria to a silver medal at the 2023 AFCON but struggled badly at the start of the World Cup qualifiers.
Source: Getty Images
Nigeria collected just two points from their first two matches, leaving them behind early in the race.
The player revealed that Peseiro treated the qualifiers as preparation for AFCON rather than must-win games.
“He used the first two games in the qualifiers to settle scores and prepare for AFCON. We got two points from a possible six, and that put us under pressure straight away.”
Those early dropped points meant Nigeria went into every subsequent match needing a win, with little room for error.
Finidi’s short stay did not help
Finidi George took charge after AFCON, but his time as the Super Eagles coach lasted just two competitive games, according to ESPN.
The current Rivers United coach brought in several new faces and attempted to introduce a new playing style, a decision the anonymous player believes backfired.
“To me, he was too eager to change things. The pressure was there after AFCON, but it cost us. We got just one point from two games.”
That disappointing return forced the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make yet another change, appointing Eric Chelle as head coach.
Chelle’s unbeaten run comes too late
Eric Chelle has steadied the ship since his appointment as Super Eagles coach, collecting eight points without losing a game, but even his work might not be enough.
Costly mistakes, including an own goal against South Africa and a defensive lapse against Zimbabwe by captain William Troost-Ekong, have left Nigeria needing a near-miracle to qualify.
Nigeria now needs South Africa to lose both of their remaining matches while also hoping Benin drops points.
At the same time, the Super Eagles must win their own final two games to have any chance of grabbing a qualification spot.
FIFA’s delayed ruling on South Africa’s use of ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena could yet play a role, with Nigeria and Benin both pushing for a three-point deduction that would change the standings.
FIFA officially opens case against South Africa
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that FIFA have officially opened an investigation against South Africa for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
A publication confirmed that Mokoena and SAFA face charges of breaching several disciplinary regulations, including fielding an ineligible player.
Source: Legit.ng