Why Super Eagles coach Peseiro cannot be fired by the NFL

The Portuguese gaffer has come under intense pressure after his side played out two straight draws
A member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee, Nse Essien, has revealed that the football body will not be able to pay off the Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, his compensatory fees if they relieve him of his job now.

The performance of the Super Eagles under Peseiro’s management has become a topic of intense discussion and debate among fans and football analysts alike. Two consecutive draws have raised concerns about the team’s form and the efficacy of Peseiro’s coaching strategies. Despite the pressure to make a change, financial considerations have unexpectedly taken center stage.

Nse Essien’s revelation sheds light on the financial challenges facing the NFF. The inability to pay off Jose Peseiro’s compensatory fees, which would be triggered by terminating his contract, poses a significant hurdle. This financial constraint forces the football body to weigh its options carefully, considering both the team’s performance and the economic implications of a coaching change.

Football coaching contracts often come with compensation clauses that mandate payment of a specified amount if the coach is terminated before the contract’s completion. This financial commitment is designed to protect coaches from abrupt dismissals and provide a degree of stability for them. However, for football associations, it can create a financial burden when contemplating managerial changes.

The revelation from the NFF official underscores the delicate balance that football governing bodies must maintain between team performance and financial prudence. While the desire for on-field success is paramount, the economic realities of honoring contractual agreements with coaching staff add a layer of complexity to the decision-making process.

The Portuguese gaffer has come under intense pressure after his side played out two straight draws against Lesotho on Thursday and Zimbabwe on Sunday, respectively, in their Group C World Cup qualifiers, putting Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup in serious jeopardy.

Walter Musona scored direct from a free kick to put Zimbabwe ahead in the first half before Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho equalized for Nigeria midway through the second half.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Essien said he wasn’t oblivious to the calls for Peseiro’s sack, but the NFF was incapacitated by monetary constraints.

“If we had the money (to pay for compensation), we would be willing to relieve him of his job; we’re not happy,” NFF member Essien told reporters.

“Everybody is asking for the sack of the head coach. It’s unfortunate that from a possible six points, we only have two. We’re in a very precarious situation,” he stated.

South Africa leads Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with three points and will be expected to widen the gap on Tuesday when they visit Rwanda, while Lesotho hosts Benin in South Africa.

Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, have two points from as many matches.

The qualifiers will resume in June 2024, with Nigeria hoping to make up lost ground when they welcome South Africa to the southern city of Uyo, before a tricky trip to the Benin Republic.