Former head coach of the Nigeria national football team, José Peseiro, has conveyed his disappointment regarding the team’s third-place finish at the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, asserting that their runner-up position two years prior is a more commendable achievement.
Peseiro led Nigeria to the final of the 2023 tournament—marking their first appearance at that level since 2013—where they narrowly lost 2–1 to the Ivory Coast national football team, the hosts. This outcome represented the country’s best finish in over a decade.
In the latest edition held in Morocco, however, the Super Eagles—now managed by Eric Chelle—achieved a third-place finish.
Although they did not reach the final, the team received considerable acclaim for their attacking style and overall performances throughout the tournament.
While speaking in Portugal, Peseiro emphasized that the expectations for Nigeria should always surpass merely achieving a podium finish, considering the country’s prominence in African football.
“Nigeria is a significant football nation in Africa, and every tournament carries expectations,” he remarked.
”You are anticipated to reach the final of the AFCON, and we accomplished that two years ago—our best finish in a considerable time.
“I recognize that the team concluded in third place at the last tournament.”
While he acknowledged the recent campaign, the Portuguese coach implied that reaching the final should remain the standard for success for a nation of Nigeria’s caliber.
