“First, fire the coach” – Ex-Super Eagles star wants former Everton, Ajax, Lille stars to replace Peseiro

The Nigerian national team wobbled to two disappointing draws in the opening rounds of the World Cup qualifying race

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peterside Idah has called on the Nigeria Football Federation to relieve Jose Peseiro of his duties as the head coach of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

Idah makes the call following Nigeria's unimpressive start to the race for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Led by Peseiro, the Super Eagles drew against lowly Lesotho in Uyo and stumbled to another uninspiring 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Rwanda last week.

The draws leave Nigeria with two points from three games and place the former African champions in third place in Group C behind Rwanda and South Africa.

Nigeria did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and Idah is convinced that the Super Eagles will miss the next edition of the Mundial if Peseiro remains in charge of the team.

“First, fire the coach. He has to go because he will lead us nowhere,” Idah told Vanguard.

“Jacob, if you are at the airport and you are being checked in for a flight and suddenly, they announce that Bishop Peterside Idah is the pilot, would you want to enter the plane? No matter how much you like me, you will not want to commit suicide.

“The Super Eagles need a coach. We cannot afford not to be at the next World Cup.”

Idah opined that a coalition of several former Nigeria internationals should be commissioned to take charge of the Super Eagles in the event of Peseiro's departure.

The one-time Moroka Swallows goalkeeper believes former Ajax midfielder Sunday Oliseh, with ex-Everton star Daniel Amokachi and former Lille shot-stopper Vicent Enyeama, would secure a World Cup ticket for Nigeria without trouble.

“We are in an emergency situation,” Idah added.

“The Minister of Sports Development should, as a matter of urgency, step in. His intervention can save Nigeria from further embarrassment.

“Call Sunday Oliseh, Daniel Amokachi, Vincent Enyeama, Barrister Green, Paul Bassey, and myself and hand over the team to us with a mission statement, ‘We must qualify for the World Cup' and empower the team with everything that is required.

“You will see qualification for the World Cup accomplished.”

Born in Port Harcourt, Idah played for BCC Lions, Enyimba, Temba Classic, and Moroka Swallows.

Now a Bishop, the 49-year-old pastors at Christ Ambassadors Church based in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg.