Pressure and stress drove Jose Peseiro away from the Nigeria job

Speaking to SABC Sport, on the sidelines of the CAF coaches symposium that’s been taking place in Côte D’Ivoire this week, to review the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, Peseiro says his mind was made up after losing the final to the hosts earlier this year. Nigeria lost 2-1 to the Ivorians in the final and the Portuguese born coach says his mind was made up even before the tournament.

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''I decided that when I finish the AFCON, I will leave. I had put too much effort in my job, it was too much stress. Everyone supported me - my family and the players but I grew fatigue, I thought it was enough for me, even if I had won the AFCON,'' said Peseiro. 

Peseiro is a well-travelled coach, having been in charge of the Saudi Arabian national team, African giants Al Ahly, Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Venezuela and Panathinaikos just to count a few. But he says the four times African champions’ job was special.

''Nigeria was an amazing job, with good players. We played very well in the AFCON. I think our team was the  best until we lost to Cote d'Ivoire in the tournament,'' added Peseiro.

Meanwhile, Peseiro had also been strongly linked to the Kaizer Chiefs job earlier this year, before they appointed Nasreddine Nabi. The 64-year-old who is known not to come cheap, also reveals an approach from Mamelodi Sundowns through third parties.

''I am waiting for a good job, for a good step. It is true there were offers from South Africa, Europe and in Brazil as well, but I didn't take any and feel good for those jobs. Someone called to tell me about the Sundown job and about other things but until now, nothing special, he expressed.

He was also responsible for bringing Chippa United leading goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to the Super Eagles, travelling all the way to Gqeberha to make this happen before the AFCON in December last year. Peseiro says this is his style of scouting, profiling and monitoring talent.

Peseiro was one of the more than 30 football coaches, who attended the two-day coaches symposium that thoroughly reviewed the AFCON tournament in Abidjan. He praised CAF for this concept.