José Peseiro, the Nigerian national team coach, receives a vote of confidence from none other than his close friend and renowned football manager, José Mourinho. The decorated coach expressed his encouragement for Peseiro in an exclusive interview with English media outlet FIVE, shedding light on their deep-rooted friendship and shared journey in football.
José Mourinho, known as one of the most influential figures in the history of football coaching, left no room for ambiguity about his allegiance in the AFCON 2023 final.
In the interview, he highlighted the significance of the moment for his childhood friend: “My best friend in football is in the final.
He’s my best friend, he grew up with me, we studied together, we started university together on the same day. We spent five years together every day.
We left at the same time. He is probably my best friend in football. It is a great opportunity for him to make history because never has a Portuguese coach won an African Cup of Nations.”
José Paseiro’s influence in Nigeria’s success story is not just moral support; he played a pivotal role in recommending Peseiro for the coaching position with the Nigerian national team.
Despite initial skepticism from the Nigerian Federation, Peseiro’s journey has proven Paseiro’s judgment right.
Under Peseiro’s leadership, the Super Eagles demonstrated defensive prowess and reached the final, with standout performances from key players like Stanley Nwabali, who secured four clean sheets and crucially saved two penalties against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
As the football world eagerly awaits the outcome of the AFCON 2023 final, José Paseiro’s endorsement adds an extra layer of significance to the journey of José Peseiro and the Nigerian national team.
