Controversial Napoli videos expose Victor Osimhen - Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro jumps to striker's defense ahead of AFCON
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro addresses Napoli's handling of Victor Osimhen, his stint with Real Madrid, and his confidence in winning the Africa Cup of Nations in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports
Jose Peseiro expresses his concerns about a particular video captured from the club, emphasizing that it is the worst situation possible. He reveals that his star player, Victor Osimhen of Napoli, experienced sadness due to this incident, and he struggles to comprehend why such a situation occurred. As Nigeria's head coach, Peseiro anticipated challenges when assuming leadership of a football-obsessed nation with a population exceeding 200 million, but he never anticipated having to handle the aftermath of his player being inexplicably targeted by his own club.
You may have come across a peculiar social media post mocking Osimhen's missed penalty or a racially offensive one labeling him as a coconut. This man, who led Napoli to their first Serie A championship since the era of Diego Maradona, is now reduced to being a joke.
Peseiro has personally experienced the contrast in Naples, witnessing the public's admiration for Osimhen in a city that has long revered Maradona. There are even murals featuring both the current striker and the former legend, displayed side by side. "In the same place."
It is another reason for his anger towards recent events. "He contributed to the team's success in the league, and now they are mocking him?" However, after speaking with Osimhen to provide support, his advice is to remain focused and not let this treatment affect his ambitions in the game.
"Osimhen is a star. Two years ago, he was not recognized as one. But now, he has become a star. And when you're a star, everyone expects more, more, more. Others can perform poorly, but if Osimhen does the same, it is seen differently because people demand more from players who have the ability to do more."
Napoli's actions were unfavorable, and it would be better if they hadn't done it. However, I suggest remaining composed and not engaging in conflicts with the fans. It is important to maintain stability and a strong mindset, as well as displaying your own unique qualities. This is what distinguishes exceptional players, and he has the potential to reach the pinnacle of his career.
Peseiro, aged 63, has firsthand experience working with top-level individuals. Initially, he played as a second-tier striker in Portugal and acknowledges that his playing career was not distinguished. However, his coaching journey took a different turn after securing promotion to the highest league with Nacional. Subsequently, a job offer led him onto a new path.
'I called Jose Mourinho'
"While I was in Brazil searching for talented players, I received a call from my former teacher, Carlos Queiroz. He informed me about his appointment as the new coach of Real Madrid and expressed his desire for me to join him as his assistant." This occurred in 2003, the same summer when David Beckham became a part of the star-studded squad that later became known as the Galacticos."Instead of making an immediate decision, I reached out to my friend Jose Mourinho, who had previously worked as an assistant at Barcelona. Considering that I was already a head coach at that time, I sought his opinion on the matter. He advised me to seize the opportunity, emphasizing the immense learning potential it held."
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Peseiro found himself in the company of football legends like Raul, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and Luis Figo during training sessions. He admits to feeling fearful initially, as he had never before been in a dressing room with such renowned players. However, his apprehension quickly disappeared when he realized the intelligence and astuteness of these extraordinary athletes. The experience was nothing short of phenomenal.
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David Beckham, Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane celebrate together at Real Madrid
The experience was limited to one season. "We had 11 strong players and the rest were mediocre." The attempt to combine star players with academy prospects and sell the underrated Claude Makelele served as a reminder that exceptional teams outperform outstanding individuals.
Peseiro has applied these lessons throughout his diverse career, which includes guiding Sporting to the UEFA Cup final in 2005, as well as coaching in Greece and Romania. He has held positions at Porto and served as the head coach for the Venezuela national team. "Adaptation is key," he emphasizes.
The Ajax team of the 1970s continue to be my primary inspiration, particularly their offensive mobility and ball control. It was from this that I developed my own model. However, over time, the game has undergone significant changes. Arrigo Sacchi's approach of reducing the field size to 40 or 50 meters has resulted in less available space.
The main challenge now is to identify and utilize that limited space effectively, allowing players to display their skills, as that is what spectators desire to witness. Nonetheless, the modern game is primarily focused on transitions. This aspect determines the success of the top teams since it is relatively easier to train for attacking and defensive organization compared to mastering swift transitions.
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After his stint as an assistant at Real Madrid, Peseiro has traversed the global landscape, showcasing his expertise and earning a master's degree in sports science. Despite his well-traveled career, he has yet to attain significant championships. However, he perceives the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in January as a substantial chance to change that narrative.
"The ultimate objective is to emerge victorious in the AFCON," he asserts. "We must strive to reach our pinnacle as we are aware of the formidable adversaries we shall face. Notably, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, and Ivory Coast pose significant challenges. However, we remain steadfast in our belief that we can triumph. I have faith, and so do the players."
Undoubtedly, obstacles lie ahead. "The structure and organization here differ from that in Europe." Peseiro concurred to a salary reduction to ensure his presence for a tournament that was originally slated for this summer. "The players implored me to stay, convinced of our potential to succeed."
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Peseiro aims to lead Nigeria to victory in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in early 2022. Despite facing challenges in building a cohesive team, he had to resort to selecting several players from the domestic league for friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador last year. This posed a challenge as he sought to cultivate a sense of unity, especially when players were joining from various parts of the globe.
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"I emphasized the importance of participating in friendly matches for our improvement. Without your presence, we cannot establish the necessary connection, not only on the field but also off it, as team spirit plays a crucial role. By meeting more frequently, we can cultivate the spirit that is essential."
Osimhen has demonstrated this commitment by joining the squad during this international window, serving as an exemplary figure. However, he is not alone in his dedication. Nigeria stands out among other African nations for its depth in talent. Peseiro chuckles, saying, "Selecting the forwards and wingers is not an easy task for me."
The star player is evident.
"When Osimhen travels to Nigeria, everyone clamors to get close to him, converse with him, or capture a photo with him," Peseiro remarks. "And this isn't limited to Nigeria alone. It's a phenomenon that occurs wherever he goes." In the AFCON qualification, he astoundingly netted 10 goals - double the tally of any other player from any competing nation.
The sole reason he didn't score even more was due to his selfless act of granting his teammates the opportunity to take two penalties. My advice for him would be to seize those moments! Most players wouldn't entertain such a request, but if someone asks Osimhen to let them take a penalty, he obliges. He genuinely is a kind-hearted individual.
He possesses strength, intelligence, and exceptional skills both defensively and offensively. He demonstrates versatility in various aspects of the game, pressuring the opposing team's centre-backs and running with purpose. His ability to excel in aerial and ground attacks is noteworthy. Motivated, agile, and robust, he is the driving force behind Nigeria's aspirations for their first AFCON triumph in more than ten years. Peseiro confidently states, "We have the potential to emerge victorious." The players are well aware of this and approach the competition with unwavering determination, ready to fight for their team, the Super Eagles. With Victor Osimhen in their midst, the possibilities are limitless.
And there is no chance of his national team manager forgetting it.
