New Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro to begin work after AFCON

Portuguese national Jose Peseiro will start his Nigeria managerial career after the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations after he was named as the country’s new national football coach.

The Nigeria Football Federation this month dismissed Germany’s Gernot Rohr just weeks ahead of the Cup of Nations, with technical director Augustine Eguavoen taking charge on an interim basis.

“After careful consideration of a memo presented by chairman of the technical and development sub-committee, the executive committee endorsed a proposal for the appointment of Mr Jose Peseiro as the new head coach of the Super Eagles,” the Nigeria Football Federation said.

The federation said the Cup of Nations, to be held in Cameroon between January 9 and February 6, would allow Peseiro to establish a working relationship with Eguavoen, who will revert to his role as technical director after Africa’s premier soccer tournament.

Peseiro, 61, has an extensive coaching resume including the Saudi Arabian and Venezuelan national teams and club sides in Greece, Romania, the middle-east, and his native country – most recently at Lisbon club Sporting.

Eguavoen coached Nigeria from 2005-2007 and as a caretaker in 2010.

Nigeria have been drawn into Group D along with Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.