
The impressive performance of the Super Eagles during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
(AFCON) sparked debates about the future of head coach, Jose Peseiro. Opinions among
Nigerian football stakeholders were divided.
While many lauded the manager’s success at the tournament, others voiced concerns about his defensive tactics following the Super Eagles’ loss in the final against the host nation.
Amidst speculation about Peseiro’s future with the national team, the Portuguese tactician took to social media to announce his decision to step down from his role at the end of his current contract.

This unexpected announcement has triggered a chain reaction, with several top-tier managers being linked to the possibility of taking over the reins of the Nigerian team.
In the wake of Peseiro’s announcement, numerous coaching candidates have been rumoured to potentially succeed him.
However, there has been a resounding call for an indigenous coach to assume leadership of the Super Eagles. This preference is highlighted by the recent success of African managers at the AFCON, with Ivory Coast’s Emerse Fae (albeit taking over the helm midway through the tournament) serving as the latest example.
As discussions persist about the ideal local successor to Peseiro, FLOS identifies and assesses a shortlist of coaches who could step in to replace the departing Portuguese manager.
Coaches Poised to Replace Peseiro
Emmanuel Amunike
The 53-year-old is one of the numerous individuals to have openly expressed interest in
coaching the Nigerian national team.
The former Barcelona forward achieved remarkable success with the Nigerian team at various age levels, including winning the 2015 U17 FIFA World Cup. Amunike’s coaching prowess was further highlighted when he guided the Taifa Stars of Tanzania to qualify for the 2019 AFCON, against all odds.

Having worked closely with several current Super Eagles players, such as Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, during their formative years, Amunike has a deep understanding of Nigerian football talent. Many Nigerian football stakeholders believe that he could be the solution to the country’s footballing challenges.
However, while Amunike boasts an impressive resumé at first sight, his record at the highest coaching level leaves little to be impressed about. According to data from Brila, the 53-year-old has often faltered whenever saddled with the responsibility of leading a senior men’s team.
With the Taifa Stars, Amunike was in charge for nine competitive fixtures and could only muster two victories and one draw, with the other six ending in defeat. Also, his other stint with the Egyptian club El Makasa, where he was briefly in charge for three games, saw him record only a draw and two defeats.

It should also be noted that the former Culés, who has often been synonymous with the 4-3-3 formation, was an assistant to Austin Eguavoen when Nigeria suffered embarrassment and failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if he gets the nod to be named manager by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee. But one thing is certain- his name is in the hat.
Finidi George
The 52-year-old has had an exceptional journey in football, transitioning from a successful playing career as a pacy winger, to roles in administration and coaching. Currently, he serves as the head coach at Enyimba International, reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Beyond his Enyimba role, he previously assisted Peseiro during his coaching tenure with Nigeria. If the NFF opts for a local coach over a foreign one, he would undoubtedly be viewed as a strong candidate. Familiar with the current crop of players, he possesses a knack for unlocking their full potential.

Moreover, given that he is currently the caretaker manager of the Super Eagles, his appointment promises to maintain continuity in coaching philosophy, a crucial element Nigerian football has yearned for. However, recent performances against Ghana and Mali suggest that he may not be the ideal candidate to lead the team. His tenure has (so far) been marked by reported clashes with players, notably Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman, expressing discontent with his management.

Another major challenge is his managerial record. The statistics of the 52-year-old fail to inspire confidence. Over his last 88 matches at Enyimba, he secured 39 victories, 19 draws, and 30 defeats— these figures fall short of the standards expected of any manager who is keen on leading the football-crazy nation that is Nigeria.
Antonio Conceicao
The 62-year-old is emerging as a leading candidate, with reports indicating that the NFF is leaning toward appointing him as the next Nigeria coach. The Portuguese tactician boasts extensive experience, having managed 14 clubs since his coaching debut in 1999.
His managerial portfolio includes stints at clubs such as Braga, Moreirense, and Vitoria Setubal. Conceicao also brings valuable experience from his time on the African continent. He led the Cameroonian national team from 2019 to 2022, achieving an impressive record of 14 victories, two losses, and eight draws in his 24 games in charge, according to Footy Stats. One of his most notable achievements was securing bronze with the Indomitable Lions at the 2021 AFCON.

Renowned for his 4-3-3 style of play, the 62-year-old has earned a reputation for his highly attacking, possession-based approach. His appointment could see Nigeria rediscover the attacking flair they were associated with prior to the 2023 AFCON, with the abundance of attacking talent in the current Nigerian team potentially being effectively harnessed under Conceicao’s leadership.
Nonetheless, while Conceicao appears to be one of the frontrunners to be named Nigeria’s coach, his somewhat nomadic career path raises questions about his true prowess. Many observers wonder about the extent of his abilities, especially considering the level of interest he would likely attract from numerous clubs and countries if his skills were as exceptional as his resumé suggests.
Michael Nsien
The 43-year-old, who featured for the Nigerian Olympics team during the qualification rounds for the 2004 Athens Olympics, is also one of the candidates who has shown interest in managing the Super Eagles.
The USA U19 coach has particularly been vocal about his dream of coaching the Nigerian team, thus it came as little surprise when he affirmed that he sent in his application for the role once it became vacant.

Coach Nsien, who burst onto the scene with the US-based club FC Tulsa, has developed into a household name in age-grade football in the United States. His coaching trajectory has seen him manage the U16 team, the U19 team, as well as the U23 team of the US national team. His coaching career record with the US U16 age-grade football setup is so far off to an impressive start, with four victories in his six games in charge.
However, while Coach Nsien’s record in age-grade football appears admirable (till date), the same cannot be said when a peek is taken into his career at the senior level coaching. His coaching statistics at FC Tulsa stand at 33 victories, 25 draws, and 43 defeats in his 101 games in charge of the USA club, resulting in a lowly 33% win percentage. Irrespective of this damning career record, the 43-year-old remains confident in his abilities to lead the Super Eagles and has often stressed in interviews that he remains the right man to develop sustained success with this crop of Nigerian players.

While the Super Eagles undoubtedly require an adept coach, it’s worth noting that the current pool of candidates may not fully meet the desired standards. The NFF might consider elite managers akin to Herve Renard or Laurent Blanc, or even aim higher with star figures like Jose Mourinho currently out of employment. However, the NFF’s history of salary disputes with coaches of such caliber might deter them from pursuing these options.
Nevertheless, if a decision were to be made among the aforementioned candidates, Conceicao or Amunike would emerge as strong contenders to take charge of the national team, with the aforementioned arguments for both managers serving as the more plausible case.


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