Former Super Eagles left-back, Taye Taiwo (pictured above), has expressed regret over the exit of Jose Peseiro, arguing that the Portuguese coach should have been kept to steer Nigeria through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Peseiro stepped down after leading the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast. Although the 65-year-old cited emotional and physical exhaustion, he had also hinted at a desire to remain with the squad and win silverware.

In an interview with Sporty TV, Taiwo asserted that retaining Peseiro would have significantly boosted Nigeria’s World Cup hopes due to the strong bond he had with the players.

“If Nigeria had left the coach (Peseiro) who led us to the Nations Cup, even though we lost to the Ivory Coast,” Taiwo said, “If they had left the coach, they would have qualified for the World Cup, because the players are always out for him; they work very hard. Throughout the whole competition, we may not have played good games, but we made it to the finals.”

Nigeria should have retained Jose Peseiro for World Cup Qualifiers – Ex-Super Eagles star Taye Taiwo

Reflecting on his own tenure with the national team, the former Olympique Marseille defender emphasized the critical importance of communication and stern discipline among players, especially in the defensive unit.

“As the defenders, we talk to ourselves and roast ourselves because we don’t want to concede goals,” Taiwo continued.

“We always talk to each other. If someone makes a mistake, we will have to shout at them. You can’t allow these types of mistakes.” He added that even after a mistake, they would offer encouragement, telling the player to do better next time.

Taiwo also drew a contrast between his era and the current Super Eagles squad, admitting a lack of knowledge regarding the present team’s internal dynamics.

“I don’t know this generation because it is different. I’m not in their group, not in their team list, and I have never been in their group to see how it is done. All I see is from the television or what’s on the internet; I don’t know either. They like each other.”

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Africa is set for its largest-ever representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nine African countries having directly secured their spots at the global football showpiece co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A tenth team remains in contention through the intercontinental playoff. The nine confirmed African countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup are: South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast.

The expanded 48-team World Cup format grants Africa nine direct qualification slots and an additional playoff spot, providing the continent with an unprecedented opportunity on the global stage. Morocco, who made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, will look to repeat their success.

Consistent performers like Senegal and Ivory Coast aim to assert their dominance, while Egypt and Ghana return to the tournament with renewed ambition. Cape Verde’s qualification is a significant achievement, marking a new milestone for the island nation.

North African heavyweights Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco continue to reinforce the region’s strong footballing tradition. The final African slot will be determined through a continental playoff involving the best runners-up: Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

The winner of this playoff will then advance to the intercontinental playoff for a potential spot in the 2026 tournament. With ten potential representatives, Africa heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with renewed hopes of a historic breakthrough on the world stage….

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-finals of the African section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs, following the conclusion of the qualifying group games.

Nigeria secured its place after a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic on Tuesday, October 14, while Gabon confirmed second place in Group F with a 2–0 win against Burundi.

DR Congo also sealed their qualification with a narrow 1–0 win over Sudan to finish runners-up in Group B behind Senegal, with Cameroon joining them after placing second in Group D behind Cape Verde.

DR Congo will take on Cameroon in the other semi-final.

The play-offs, which will feature the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups, are scheduled to take place in Morocco from November 13 to 16.

Both semi-finals will be played on November 13, with the winners meeting three days later in a single-leg final.

The overall winner will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026 in a bid to qualify for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The matches will be played as single-leg knockouts in a venue to be determined by CAF later.

If tied after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will follow, and if the scores remain level, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner.

Morocco will host the mini-tournament, which gives Africa an additional opportunity to secure a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup.

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