2026 WCQ: Would ex-Super Eagles coach & AFCON silver medalist Peseiro have qualified Nigeria for the World Cup?

Former Nigeria international Taye Taiwo has voiced his frustration over the Super Eagles’ struggles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, suggesting that the team’s decline began after the departure of former coach José Peseiro. Nigeria currently sit third in Group C with 14 points, one behind South Africa and three adrift of Benin Republic, leaving their qualification hopes finely balanced.

Speaking on Sporty TV, the former AC Milan defender criticized what he described as a lack of urgency and inadequate preparation from the national team during the qualifiers. Taiwo, who represented Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, argued that the Super Eagles performed with greater cohesion and discipline under Peseiro, who led them to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.

“If Nigeria had left the coach that took us to the final of AFCON, despite losing to Ivory Coast, we’d qualify for this World Cup,” he said. “The players worked hard for him, the midfielders supported the strikers, and we defended with purpose. Even when we didn’t play our best football, we reached the final.”

Fact Check: Was Jose Peseiro Sacked by Nigeria?

Jose Peseiro was not dismissed as head coach of the Super Eagles. His contract with the Nigeria Football Federation expired on February 29, 2024, and he chose not to renew it. The Portuguese coach announced his departure on March 1, 2024, through a statement on X, where he thanked the NFF, his players, and Nigerian fans. His exit came just weeks after leading Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

Those close to the former FC Porto manager said he had decided to step down before the AFCON final, citing fatigue and the strain of the job. He was reportedly prepared to leave even if Nigeria had lifted the trophy. The NFF, meanwhile, allowed his short-term deal to run its course without pursuing an extension. Peseiro’s departure was by mutual conclusion, not dismissal. Any suggestion that he was sacked is inaccurate. 

Would Jose Peseiro have gotten Super Eagles to the World Cup?

The main claim by Taiwo – that Jose Peseiro would have led Nigeria to qualification for the 2026 World Cup – is harder to scrutinise due to the subjective nature of the claim. However, it is worth remembering that it was under  the Portuguese coach’s watch that the Super Eagles began their campaign.

The 65-year-old was in charge for the first two matches of the series. Both ended in disappointing 1-1 draws, against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, who have since proven to be the worst teams in the group. As such, if anything, he probably deserves the most criticism for Nigeria’s current predicament.

Some might suggest, however, that, on the basis of leading the Super Eagles to the final of the AFCON, he would have turned things around. And while there is no telling  what could have happened, it is important to recall that the team’s run in Cote d’Ivoire was on the back of defensive solidity, rather than attacking prowess. Not only is that approach better suited to tournaments, but it also has far less utility against limited opponents.

At the AFCON, Nigeria only managed more than one goal in a game on one occasion: the 2-0 win over Cameroon. In this World Cup qualifying tilt, what has undermined the three-time African champions has been a lack of goals, precisely the same foible that the best version of Peseiro’s Super Eagles suffered from. As such, it is probably not the case that, had he remained in charge, Nigeria would have fared that much better.