Last week, Nigerians woke up to read about the decision of the Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Jose Passeiro to quit the job that had brought him more fortunate than he ever had  in his coaching career.

 

Passeiro in his farewell message acknowledged the good times he had coaching the Super Eagles, and the results he had  with the team.

 

Passeiro's departure did not come as a surprise to Box 18, as we had expected it earlier, especially when  he was honoured with a national honour by  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We also knew that it would be a matter of time for the European to announce his departure, which he intended to use as a bargaining point for his new contract renewal with better renumerations.

 

 It could be recalled that Passeiro's contract renewal was tactically tied to his performance at the African Nations Cup in Coted'ivoire. He was given a semi finals target, but providence took him above that. He exceeded the target, and played up to the final which they narrowly lost to the host.

 

On return to the country, the team was lavishly received by an appreciative country, and a government who were ready to do anything for the team to excel, especially when Nigerians were angry for the hardship they are going through. Excelling at the tournament, will serve as a diversionary measure at that time. That was the major reason the government treated the Eagles as winners, even when everyone knew they were not excellent.

 

Seeing how assumed happy the government was in receiving Passeiro's and his team, Passeiro's spine masters started flying the kite of how he was about grabbing the job of heading the Technician Crew of the Desert Warriors of Algeria. When they saw that that had failed, they restored to giving the departure notice. Earlier, they had sold the dummy of his been sought after in Zamalek of Egypt.

 

They know that that was not first time that a Coach will use his performance with the Super Eagles to bargain for a better renumeration. But, unknown to them, many football lovers were waiting to hear when Mr Passeiro would quit with his MON.

 

Bonfere Jo, after excelling with the Dream Team in Atlanta 1996 Olympic games, jettison the country after being honoured by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Even when the country begged him to return, and he handled the World Cup qualifiers, it took a last minute termination of his contract, for the country to qualify for the Japan/Korea World cup in 2002.

 

After winning the AFCON title in South Africa 2013, Stephen Keshi also announced his resignation, but that was turned down by the Federal Government, who honoured Keshi and his team. When Keshi returned as the Coach, he was eventually disgraced out.

 

For  Mr Jose Passeiro (MON), his plans to use resignation  as a bite to handtwist the NFF for an improved contract may not work, as millions of football followers never believed in him. "Because our mumu don do".

 

Peseiro’s record as Super Eagles coach laid credence to the reasons why many wanted him out, despite the performance of the Super Eagles at AFCON 2023.

 

The Portuguese tactician began his assignment with a 2-1 loss to Mexico in a friendly match, in Texas, on May 29, 2022.

 

Five days later, Nigeria lost to Ecuador 1-0 in another friendly match.

 

On June 9, 2022, Peseiro recorded his first win against Sierra Leone, 2-1, in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.

 

Four days later, it was a goal feast for the Super Eagles as they pummelled Sao Tome and Principe, 10 goals to nil, in another 2023 AFCON qualifying match.

 

In his third friendly match played on September 27, 2022, the Super Eagles could not continue their winning streak as they lost 2-1 to Algeria.

 

On November 10, 2022, the Super Eagles suffered another defeat under Peseiro as they lost 2-0 in a friendly match against Costa Rica.

 

Again, on November 17, 2022, Portugal thrashed the Super Eagles 4-0 in another friendly match.

 

On March 24, 2023, the Peseiro-led Super Eagles suffered a shocking defeat – losing to Guinea-Bissau by a lone goal at the Abuja National Stadium.

 

Guinea-Bissau, ranked 118th on the FIFA rankings, is one of the minnows of African Football.

 

However, the Super Eagles redeemed themselves in the return leg in Bissau, winning 1-0, on March 27, 2023.

 

Before, the Nations Cup in Ivory Coast, Peseiro played nine matches; won three and lost six. The coach lost all five friendly matches played by the Super Eagles.

 

A breakdown of the matches played by the Super Eagles under Peseiro:

May 29, 2022:  Mexico 2 vs Nigeria 1

 

June 3, 2022 :Ecuador 1 vs Nigeria 0

 

June 9, 2022 ;Nigeria 2 vs Sierra Leone 1

 

June 13, 2022: Sao Tome and Principe 0 vs Nigeria 10

 

Sept 27, 2022:  Algeria 2 vs Nigeria 1

 

Nov 10, 2022: Costa Rica 2 vs Nigeria 0

 

Nov 1, 2022 :Portugal 4 vs Nigeria 0

 

Mar 24, 2023 Nigeria 0 vs Guinea-Bissau 1

 

Mar 27, 2023 Guinea-Bissau 0 vs Nigeria 1

 

19 November 2023

Zimbabwe 1 vs Nigeria 1

 

8 January 2024 Guinea 2-0 Nigeria

 

AFCON 2024

14 January 2024 Nigeria 1 vs Equatorial Guinea 1

 

18 January 2024

Ivory Coast 0 vs Nigeria 1

 

22 January 2024 Guinea-Bissau 0 vs Nigeria 1

 

27 January 2024 Nigeria 2 vs Cameroon 0

 

02February 2024 Nigeria 1 vs Angola 0

 

07 February 2024 Nigeria 1 (4)  vs South Africa (1) 2

 

11February 2024 Nigeria 1 vs Ivory Coast (2)

 

Now, that Passeiro's calculation has failed him, and he has gone, Box 18 believed that the time has come for Ibrahim Gusua and his crew to bestow the responsibility of leading the Eagles on a coach from Nigeria descent. A Nigerian Coach will always have the sense of responsibility to the country, and will always be aiming at nothing but the best.