Mosimane ambition makes him good fit for Super Eagles

The renowned former captain of the Nigerian national football team, JayJay Okocha, has thrown his weight behind Pitso Mosimane as a formidable candidate for the coaching position. The current occupant of the role, Jose Peseiro, faces scrutiny following disappointing early results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Speaking at an event in Johannesburg, South Africa, which commemorated 60 years of the German Bundesliga, Okocha expressed his endorsement of Mosimane, stating, “Without any doubt, Pitso is one of the best African coaches.” Okocha highlighted Mosimane’s impressive track record, having previously led South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, as well as powerhouse clubs Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Nigeria shares the same World Cup qualification group as South Africa. Mosimane has openly discussed his ambition to lead one of the African teams expected to qualify for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the USA. Additionally, he aspires to secure victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Emphasizing the importance of the current generation of Nigerian players, Okocha stressed the need to restore the nation’s status as a prominent force in African football. He emphasized the importance of coaching in fostering teamwork over individual stardom, stating, “This is where the work of coaches will have to come into place.”

Expressing concern over the focus on the rivalry with South Africa after drawing their first two qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, Okocha called for a shift in mindset. He pointed out that Rwanda currently leads the group, describing it as a “big surprise,” and urged a collective effort to prioritize the primary goal of securing qualification for the World Cup.