December 8, (THEWILL) – The former captain of the Nigerian national football team, JayJay Okocha, has endorsed Pitso Mosimane as a strong candidate for the coaching position. Jose Peseiro currently occupies the role, but his tenure has been questioned after disappointing early results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Okocha, speaking at an event in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday, to mark 60 years of the German Bundesliga, stated “Without any doubt, Pitso is one of the best African coaches”. He referenced Mosimane’s strong track record, having led South Africa’s national team Bafana Bafana in the past, along with domestic heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Nigeria is currently in the same World Cup qualification group as South Africa. Mosimane has previously discussed his ambition to lead one of the nine or 10 African teams, expected to qualify for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the USA. He also harbours dreams of winning the Africa Cup of Nations.
Okocha stressed the need for the current crop of Nigerian players to restore the nation’s status as one of Africa’s leading lights. He stated: “We have young players and it is all about getting them to play as a team and not as individual superstars. This is where the work of coaches will have to come into place”.
After drawing their first two qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, Okocha lamented the focus on the rivalry with South Africa rather than qualification itself. He highlighted that Rwanda currently leads the group, a “big surprise” in his view. He called for a change in mindset towards the primary target of reaching the World Cup.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
