Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has admitted the exploits of the team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States of America made him fall in love with the Super Eagles.
The class of ’94 is often regarded as the best set of players to play for the national team. Debuting at the World Cup, the Eagles, managed by Dutchman Clemens Westerhof, were in Group C alongside Bulgaria, Argentina and Greece.
But it was the debuting Nigeria that emerged shock winners of the group after a 3-0 thrashing of Bulgaria which was followed by 2-0 triumph over Greece and a 2-1 defeat to a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina before crashing out to eventual finalists Italy in the second round.
The former Venezuela and Saudi Arabia head coach noted as much when he was officially presented to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare, by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday.
“I have always loved the Nigeria team, ever since I watched them play at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States,” Peseiro said. “It is a team with a solid pedigree. Presently, we have both quality and quantity of players and it is always a good situation for any team,”
The 64-year-old Portuguese also said that he accepted coaching the three-time African champions because he is hopeful of winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Peseiro who signed a one year contract with Nigeria will lead Eagles to face Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja battle for 2023 AFCON Qualifiers Matchday One tie today.
“I came here for one goal. I want to win the next AFCON for my fantastic players and for Nigerians,” he equally said.”I am confident because I believe in this team. I believe in the quality and the number of good players.”
The Portuguese who was recently engaged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has led the Super Eagles to two international friendlies against EL Tri of Mexico and La Tricolor of Ecuador in the United States where the Eagles were beaten 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.