April 04, (THEWILL) – Michael Nsien, the 43-year-old coach of the United States Under-19 national team, has set his sights on an ambitious goal – leading Nigeria to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is currently searching for a new head coach to guide the revamped Super Eagles, and Nsien, with 17 years of coaching experience and holding both a U.S. Soccer Pro License and a UEFA “A” Licence, is among the candidates shortlisted to succeed Jose Peseiro.
Speaking exclusively with Flashscore, Nsien exuded confidence in his ability to not only secure Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States but also to guide the team to a historic semi-final berth.
“Leading Nigeria to the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has to be the goal,” Nsien stated, adding: “We saw Morocco reach that level. Nigeria, as a nation, holds the potential to assert dominance in African football. So, there are no limitations to what we can achieve.”
Nsien highlighted the advantages of the World Cup being held in the United States, emphasising his familiarity with the conditions and the support system he has in place to ensure the players’ success. “I have a strong team on the ground to ensure that the necessary support will be ready for the players. They would bring out their resources to ensure their success,” he said. Nsien was also confident in Nigeria’s talent pool, particularly the strikers and a promising goalkeeper, and stressed the importance of fielding a well-balanced team.
One of Nsien’s priorities is to provide opportunities for talented players from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) to compete for spots on the senior national team. “I’m currently in Nigeria, and being here feels great,” he said. “I’ve reiterated multiple times that players from the local league deserve opportunities in the senior team. It not only inspires them but also gives hope to other players aspiring to represent the Super Eagles.” Nsien plans to attend NPFL matches personally to identify suitable players for the Super Eagles.
Nsien’s connection with Nigeria extends beyond his coaching aspirations. He once represented the country at the youth level, playing for the U23 squad. Despite failing to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics, Nsien cherishes memorable moments from his time with the Dream Team, including his introduction to the group by former teammate Victor Ezeji.
As Nigeria prepares for the rest of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the NFF is expected to announce Peseiro’s replacement later this month, with Nsien among the candidates vying for the opportunity to guide the Super Eagles to unprecedented heights.
About the Author
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.
