AFCON 2023: NFF, Peseiro agree on contract extension

•Boniface, Orban, Torunarigha get first Super Eagles call up

The leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Jose Peseiro have reached an agreement for the Portuguese coach to continue as head coach of the Super Eagles.

This is as Peseiro who has been in contract discussion with the Federation has agreed to an extension and has released names of players that will prosecute the match day 6 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (AFCON) against Sao Tome and Principe slated for Godswill Akpabio Nest of Champions Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“As stipulated in the original contract, drawn in May 2022, the Portuguese has been handed the mandate to lead the Super Eagles to, at the minimum, the semi-finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in Cote d’Ivoire in a few months.” the NFF statement issued on Sunday read in part.

Peseiro has thus agreed to continue in the role after accepting a pay cut on his earlier terms, with the new agreement also putting him in charge of the Super Eagles B, the home-based professionals.

Meanwhile, the trio of Victor Boniface, Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha have been handed their first call-up to the Super Eagles ahead of this month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against São Tomé and Principe.

Their invitation was confirmed in a release by the media officer of the Super Eagles Babafemi Raji on Sunday.

Other notable players like Francis Uzoho, William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Also in the list are Joe Aribo, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Olorunleke Ojo, Frank Onyeka and Semi Ajayi.

The camp will open on Wednesday, September 6th.

The full list:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Gift Orban (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany).

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