Time for Jose Peseiro to go? | The Nutmeg
Transcript
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01:16 I know I said in the past, I mean in our most recent episode that it is time for
01:22 us not to sacrosanctly say, perhaps it was the right thing to do but
01:27 it was not the right time.
01:29 Well, hey, I've changed my mind.
01:30 I haven't seen the game between Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
01:33 It's too bad, it was an eyesore.
01:35 And I do not think that this is in the short term or in the long term,
01:39 the best that we can get from the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
01:43 This is a reaction to the qualifiers being played between Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
01:49 And of course, we share all the thoughts on what next for the Super Eagles as well.
01:54 My name is Ayomede Shotuba, this is The North Leg on Guardian TV.
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02:06 And of course, yeah, we have to start by talking about what has been evident
02:12 on the Super Eagles as a team right from the start,
02:16 that Osipesuru took the job from the get-go.
02:20 The team lacks conviction, and we saw that against Zimbabwe and
02:24 Lesotho was quite glaring for all lookers, for everybody that watched both games,
02:30 was quite glaring to see that Osipesuru does not know he's starting XI for a start.
02:36 He doesn't know what system they're going to play.
02:39 He doesn't know what tactic to employ to get the best out of the team
02:44 and the options that he's got.
02:45 It's quite clear.
02:47 Against Lesotho, he started with a 4-4-2.
02:49 We doubt a clear provider, someone who could provide crosses or chances
02:55 for attackers to feed off from.
02:57 And then we went one nil down.
03:00 And the same was the case against Zimbabwe,
03:03 although making a lot of changes, all-sale changes, by the way,
03:07 six changes against Zimbabwe, and at the end of the day, same result.
03:11 We conceded.
03:12 His favorite there, because I think it's the right thing to say now,
03:16 Francis Nzoho again conceding from a penalty from a distance.
03:21 It was a fantastic penalty.
03:22 Take nothing out of it.
03:23 Credit to Musona, the Zimbabwe player that got the goal.
03:27 But shouldn't he be keeping that out from way out?
03:31 That's a long way out, and I think he should have kept it out.
03:34 But it's the sheer lack of conviction for me.
03:38 We are going through a lot of chopping and changing.
03:41 There's no clarity on how the team wants to play.
03:44 We do not understand what he wants to do with the team,
03:48 how he wants to get the team to achieve the objective,
03:50 which he and the NFF have set for himself, by the way,
03:53 which is winning the African Cup of Nations.
03:55 We're a far cry from that.
03:56 We're a far cry from that, and honestly, I just--
04:00 I don't see the future or even the present with Osip Esero.
04:06 It defies logic that we have to play like this.
04:09 Is this really the best we can get from the Super Eagles?
04:11 I do not think so.
04:12 I do not believe so.
04:13 I believe it is time for Osip Esero to go.
04:16 I know I said in the previous episode that, well,
04:19 it's the right decision to let him go, but then maybe not the right time.
04:22 But against Zimbabwe, against Lesotho,
04:25 these are teams that are not even in the top 100 in the world,
04:29 and you play horrendous football like that--
04:34 I don't know.
04:35 I'm short of words, to be honest,
04:37 because I'm beginning to feel like the options we've got at home--
04:42 because I'm going to talk a lot about options,
04:44 potential replacements.
04:45 We've done a video on this before, by the way,
04:48 but again, we have to continue the conversation
04:50 because it looks like the NFF are not getting the message yet.
04:53 But in terms of options, even from at home here on the local front,
04:59 we have, in my opinion, better options in terms of management
05:05 of the first team, of the senior national team.
05:08 I believe strongly that there are better coaches,
05:12 and I'm going to mention them next.
05:14 I would like to start with Emmanuel Amunike.
05:17 I mean, there's always this complex about,
05:20 "Oh, should we go for our local coaches?
05:22 Can they do the job?
05:23 We're inviting players from across the world.
05:25 Would they respect the manager?"
05:27 I do feel that Emmanuel Amunike is a name that commands respect.
05:32 Yeah, it does, because he's done it on the international scene.
05:37 Maybe not coaching, but at least when it comes to playing
05:40 at the highest level.
05:41 I mean, how many Nigerians do you think have played for Barcelona?
05:44 Emmanuel Amunike has done it, and he was successful there.
05:48 So why not?
05:49 Why can't he coach the Super Eagles?
05:51 I mean, and he's also got some managerial experience as well.
05:54 He's one of the few coaches that you can refer to as, you know,
05:58 having international experience and being able to handle the team.
06:02 I feel it's time because, hey, let's be realistic.
06:05 We're still also going to talk about, you know, going forward,
06:10 what next for the Super Eagles in terms of the AFCON,
06:13 which is next on our list, on the list of matches that we're going to play
06:17 on the next competition we're going to compete in.
06:20 All right?
06:21 You can go on and on and talk about that,
06:23 but I do not particularly think that even if we retain Osip Esero,
06:26 we're going to win the tournament.
06:28 Let's settle with that fact.
06:29 It's clear.
06:30 You cannot beat Lesotho and Zimbabwe in a game where you ordinarily
06:34 should have a point to prove having not qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
06:40 Well, I do not think that, you know,
06:42 Osip Esero will do anything like leading us to glory in Côte d'Ivoire in January.
06:48 I do not think so.
06:49 So why not start to consider these coaches and focus,
06:52 place prime focus on the World Cup qualifications.
06:55 Two games down already and there's eight more to go.
06:58 And there's just one slot in a group of six teams.
07:02 And South Africa right now are topping that group
07:06 and they've not even played their second game.
07:08 Meanwhile, Nigeria have played their two games.
07:12 Anyways, it's sad.
07:14 It's where we are as a country.
07:16 But let's still stick with talking about replacements.
07:19 Emmanuel Mwenike is one.
07:21 I feel he has what it takes.
07:24 You may not agree with the opinion, but let me know in the comment section
07:27 what you think is the ideal fit,
07:30 who you think is the ideal fit to enter that position right now
07:34 and at least do a decent job, maybe a decent job,
07:36 at least qualify from the group stage in the African Cup of Nations
07:40 and then build a sustainable team to help us qualify for the World Cup.
07:47 Because, hey, it's not going to be funny if the Super Eagles of Nigeria
07:52 did not qualify for two World Cups in succession.
07:57 I don't think it has ever happened before.
07:59 And we shouldn't want a first for that.
08:02 So drastic steps need to be taken.
08:04 But then up next on my list of potential replacements,
08:07 George Finidi is one.
08:09 I think he's a coach that mirrors Nigeria.
08:12 The Nigerian Premier Football League.
08:14 He's the coach of the reigning champions, Nyingba.
08:16 I think he can do a job as well.
08:18 He's also assistant to Osipu Seru.
08:21 He's been in the setup, he's been here and there.
08:23 He has experience, knows some of these players as well.
08:26 So, yeah, I think he can also step in and do a good job
08:29 if Nigerians give him the chance,
08:31 because that's a different talking point altogether.
08:34 We tend to like foreign stuff.
08:37 I think it's a correlation of everything that we can point as wrong in this country.
08:42 We tend to like foreign stuff,
08:44 and then we do not value a lot of our homegrown talent.
08:49 But any of these coaches I mentioned,
08:51 because I do not have a foreign coach here on my list anyway,
08:54 but these coaches, their success is bound to how well the fans,
09:01 administrators, settle with the fact that it needs time.
09:06 Whoever steps in needs time to build something sustainable.
09:09 It's not going to happen immediately.
09:12 Look at Senegal, for instance.
09:14 Aliusisi, who is the coach of Senegal,
09:18 who are, by the way, reigning champions of Africa.
09:21 He's been in that job for quite a while.
09:25 He's been given time to build that team.
09:28 And I do feel that if we can look internally,
09:32 pick somebody from within the ranks,
09:34 and then even help them sponsor their education,
09:38 their coaching education,
09:39 if there's something they need to get up their game,
09:41 perhaps sponsor them out of the country,
09:43 let them get some licenses, certification, some competencies,
09:47 or what have you, to improve their skills as a coach,
09:51 then yeah, we get talking about something serious.
09:54 But I don't know if the NFF are really thinking about this as an option.
09:59 But then George Finidi, certainly, Emmanuel Mounike, certainly,
10:03 coaches that have been there around the set of the Super Eagles,
10:07 I think they can do a job, at least for now.
10:10 And then Austin Aguilavon, a name I'm sure most Nigerians
10:14 wouldn't want to hear now.
10:16 Because, hey, we remember how Nigeria did not qualify for the World Cup
10:21 and it was at the helm of affairs.
10:23 I do not particularly favor him as a choice.
10:27 But I'm also trying to be realistic here.
10:29 I do think that this is one of the most likely names that the NFF
10:32 will select to be coach of the Super Eagles
10:36 if Osipu Serow has to leave right now.
10:39 So, well, I'm just being realistic in mentioning him as an option.
10:43 It is what it is.
10:44 This is Nigeria.
10:46 He has to be on the list for that reason.
10:49 Is he the ideal choice? I do not think so.
10:52 Because we've seen him, we've seen what he can do,
10:55 and it's not really convincing.
10:57 But then the next choice on my list is Sunday Olise.
11:00 And why not?
11:02 I know, yeah, it was a sad ending, a bad ending,
11:05 a sore ending when he left back in the day.
11:09 I know that people have their different opinions on the divide.
11:14 But let's be frank. Let's tell ourselves the truth.
11:18 He deserves a chance just like anybody in a system that works,
11:21 in a system that tries.
11:23 It shouldn't have to do with contract violations,
11:25 shouldn't have to do with lack of support on paid wages,
11:28 which is a common theme even for Geno Rohr.
11:30 The battle to pay his salaries is still up there.
11:34 So any coach deserves an enabling environment to succeed.
11:39 But he has to be one of the options.
11:41 And then the final name on the list for me is Salisu Yusuf,
11:44 also a coach that has been around the setup for a while.
11:47 And in fact, when Osepe Sero's contract had to be renewed,
11:52 his name popped up as one of the potential successors.
11:56 So yeah, maybe it could be one.
11:58 I know maybe perhaps the NFF would also think up his name
12:01 as one of the likely options to fill the void,
12:05 should Osepe Sero have to leave right now as things stand.
12:09 But hey, this is my five-man list.
12:13 Who should I pick out of this list?
12:16 I feel let's try something different.
12:18 I think Emmanuel Mnike, let's bring him on and let's see what he can do.
12:22 Hey, you can have your opinion. It's fine.
12:24 Go into the comment section and also let us know who your option is.
12:29 Is it Emmanuel Mnike? Is it George Finidi? Is it Austin Le Gravon?
12:33 Is it Sondre Oliseu? Is it Salisu Yusuf?
12:35 Or perhaps it's not even one of these names.
12:37 Let us know what your thoughts are in the comment section for that.
12:40 But then let's leave that and talk about what next for the Super Eagles.
12:43 Yeah, what next literally is AFCON.
12:46 It starts on the 13th of January, Nigeria in Group A
12:49 against Ecuador, the hosts, and Equatorial Guinea, also with Guinea-Bissau.
12:53 Guinea-Bissau, by the way, they defeated us in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
12:58 Although we had to come back to win.
13:00 And just checking the results so far, it's more of--it's thematic.
13:05 The coach, Osip Esero, doesn't really know what he's doing with the team.
13:09 He goes behind, and then we have to come back to win.
13:13 We lose the first leg of games, and then in the second leg,
13:16 some sort of individual talent, individual display, saves his job, saves the team,
13:24 helps us to achieve short-term objectives.
13:27 Well, it's been the case, and well, the African Cup of Nations,
13:31 so much has been said by him, by the NFF,
13:35 about him trying to win us the African Cup of Nations.
13:39 That's the goal.
13:41 We're not sure, as at this point we do not know if he remains at the job or not.
13:46 But let's talk about what is in front of us.
13:49 Yeah, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau.
13:52 On the evidence of what we've seen against Lesotho and Zimbabwe,
13:55 teams not even rated in the top 100 by FIFA.
13:59 I do not think that we can make it out of this group.
14:03 Yeah, call me crazy, but it's the truth.
14:06 We can't even beat Lesotho.
14:08 We are having to come from behind.
14:11 I'm not convinced we can do anything.
14:13 And then the World Cup qualifiers, South Africa,
14:16 without playing two games, are top in the group.
14:20 They have three points, Nigeria have two,
14:22 then we have the same number of points with Zimbabwe.
14:24 They also played a draw against Rwanda in their first game.
14:27 And also Lesotho, who are yet to play their second game, have a point.
14:30 While Benin Republic, they also, I think they have,
14:34 they don't have a point at this point.
14:36 They don't have a point.
14:38 But interestingly, okay, they do have a point.
14:41 They have one point.
14:42 Interestingly, they are tougher games.
14:44 These two games, Lesotho and Zimbabwe,
14:47 are probably the easiest games on paper.
14:50 And we've struggled in both games.
14:52 How do we make it out of this group?
14:54 I honestly don't know.
14:55 Maybe the good thing is our next qualifier game for the World Cup
14:59 is not until June of next year.
15:01 So probably there's time and a lot can change between now
15:03 and what, maybe over six months between now and,
15:06 I think that's seven months, yeah, seven, eight months
15:09 before we talk about World Cup qualifiers again.
15:12 But let's be fair and let's be frank.
15:15 As things stand, two games gone already eight months ago.
15:20 With South Africa winning one game more,
15:24 which is their second game, they play tomorrow, by the way,
15:27 if they win, then most certainly to qualify out of that group,
15:31 Nigeria would have to go beat South Africa on their own path.
15:35 And also when South Africa come on Nigerian territory,
15:38 we have to beat them as well.
15:40 That's not an easy job.
15:42 We've made the job more difficult by ourselves.
15:44 We should be talking about having six points now,
15:46 but we have just two.
15:48 So it's a matter of a rivalry between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
15:52 These are tough games.
15:54 It's not going to be easy.
15:56 Rivalries only make it even more difficult.
15:58 But then we don't know if Osepe Seru will be the coach,
16:00 but I still maintain, I retain, that Osepe Seru,
16:03 I think it's time for him to go.
16:05 I think he wouldn't do better than what we have seen.
16:08 It's been over a year, he was appointed May 15 of 2022.
16:11 It's been over a year since he was there.
16:13 I do not think he'll do a better job than what he's done already.
16:16 Try something different.
16:18 I know it's just a couple of, maybe less than two months,
16:21 before the start of the African Cup of Nations,
16:23 but I do not just think there's anything that can be different
16:26 from what we have seen now.
16:28 Well, that's the much that we will take on this episode of the Nutmeg.
16:33 Thank you very much for watching.
16:35 And thank you for always following our content right here on Guardian Nigeria.
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16:48 Thank you very, very much for watching.
16:50 My name is Ayomini Sotobo.
16:52 I'll see you in the next episode.
16:53 Goodbye and God bless.
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