Peseiro Praises South African League, Hints at Problems in Nigeria’s NPFL

Former Super Eagles coach, José Peseiro, has praised the quality and organisation of South Africa’s local league, suggesting that Nigeria’s domestic football still has a long way to go.

The Portuguese manager, now in charge of Egyptian club Zamalek SC, recently led his team to South Africa for a CAF Confederation Cup match against Stellenbosch FC. After the first leg ended 0-0, Peseiro was full of praise for the football system in South Africa.

“When I arrived at the stadium, I said it. Sundowns and Orlando Pirates won yesterday. I was afraid that some of us believed they’d beat us,” he said. “It showed the quality of football in South Africa – good stadium, good organisation, good salaries, good players and good coaches.”

Peseiro added that South Africa’s national team is one of the best in Africa at the moment, ranking them in the top five. “I know that because I coached against them in February 2023,” he noted.

Although he didn’t mention Nigeria directly, his words appeared to highlight the issues facing the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). The lack of proper organisation, low player salaries, and poor infrastructure are some of the reasons why home-based players struggle to break into the Super Eagles squad.

During the last meeting between Nigeria and South Africa at the 2023 AFCON, Bafana Bafana used only one foreign-based player in their starting eleven. In contrast, the Super Eagles started with eleven players who all play abroad, showing the absence of NPFL players in the national team.

Peseiro’s remarks may be a subtle reminder that for Nigeria to compete at the top level, more attention must be given to improving the local league.

Nigeria and South Africa are set to meet again in September in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.