The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will fire coach Jose Peseiro if they have the money to pay him after two successful World Cups, according to the committee chairman. According to Essien,

Nigeria's qualification for the 2026 World Cup is already in jeopardy after they managed just two of their first two qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Walter Musona scored immediately to give Zimbabwe the lead in the first half, and Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho equalised midway through the second half.

Portuguese coach Peseiro has been criticised for the Super Eagles' slow start to qualifying. "If we had the money to pay, we would be ready to remove him from his position; we are not happy," NFF member Essien told reporters.

"Everyone is calling for the coach to be sacked. It's a shame that, out of six possible points, we only have two. We are in a very dangerous situation.

South Africa leads Group C of the 2026 World Cup with three points and is expected to widen the gap on Tuesday when they visit Rwanda, while Lesotho hosts Benin in South Africa. Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, have two points from as many games.

The qualifiers will resume in June 2024, with Nigeria hoping to make up for lost places by hosting South Africa in the southern city of Uyo before a tricky trip to Benin.