Why I accepted pay cut –  Peseiro

Super Eagles gaffer, Jose Peseiro, has said he agreed a pay cut so as to lead the Super Eagles to win the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire next year.

The 63-year-old Portuguese coach was on $70,000 a month, but he will now receive $50,000 after the NFF told him they could no longer afford his old salary.

“My staff and I did everything to stay with the team so that we can achieve our big target – to win the AFCON,” he said.

“The target since I signed my first contract is to win the next AFCON.

“We have many good players, a good team, good spirit and we have support.”

He said that as a result of this ambition he has begun preparations for this tournament by calling up a formidable squad including three uncapped players, namely Victor Boniface, Jordan Tounarigha and Gift Orban, for today’s final Group A game against Sao Tome and Principe.

Nigeria have won the continental tournament thrice with their last triumph being 10 years ago in South Africa.

Peseiro took over the Super Eagles in May 2022 and his first contract ended in July 2023.

He has qualified the team to the 2023 AFCON, which will be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024.

Officials said his contract will be renewed should he guide the country to the semifinals of the biennial tournament.