Salisu Yusuf rates Peseiro’s debut game as Super Eagles coach
Assistant coach Salisu Yusuf has given his rating of Jose Peseiro’s maiden game as Super Eagles head coach against Mexico in an international friendly match on Sunday morning.
Yusuf claimed the opening 45 minutes of their 2-1 loss at the AT&T Stadium was difficult but the three-time African champions responded with a better second-half performance.
Peseiro was involved in the encounter that had four Nigeria Professional Football League players in action and he is expected to also guide the Super Eagles when they take on Ecuador for another friendly fixture in New Jersey on Friday morning.
“It was a bit tough. Second half everyone analysed the game for him. He agreed to all our suggestions and we changed the system we played and it paid off,” Yusuf told NFF TV.
“It’s just that we had our own goal and we could have at least won the game or get a draw. You can see we’re more in the game than they were in the first half. We controlled the game in the second half.
“He’s still building. It’s gradual and step-by-step. I believe at the end of the day, we will have a good team. We are happy to have him because the home-based players had a chance to play which is good, for the first time in the main team.”
Yusuf worked with Gernot Rohr before the German coach was sacked in December 2021 and he was also an assistant to interim coach Augustine Eguavoen for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The former Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers boss disclosed that he engaged Peseiro before his appointment and he is enjoying the relationship.
“It’s been great working with him. Before he resumed I had two conversations with him over the phone concerning the list, and some players,” Yusuf added.
“He asked about the characteristics of the home-based players and I told him and he really appreciated that. It’s been great working with him. He’s a top professional and I’ve enjoyed working with him.”
