Super Eagles to tackle team formerly coached by Jose Peseiro – a good prep for AFCON 2025?

Nigeria celebrate during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on September 6, 2025 in Uyo, Nigeria. [Photo Credit/ ImagoxAkpanNsidibe].

Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Venezuela in an international friendly on November 14, 2025, at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, as part of their build-up to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.

Although the multiple reports circulating in the Nigerian football scene have not been confirmed by the Nigerian Football Federation.

However, the team, formerly coached by Jose Peseiro, who guided the Nigerian Eagles to the final of the 2023 AFCON tournament, is been scheduled to prepare the team for the upcoming tournament.

Venezuela vs. Nigeria – International Friendly pic.twitter.com/yCwUa9Escx

— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) September 11, 2025

Beyond this, questions have continued to linger in the Nigerian football community about whether Venezuela truly is the kind of test the Super Eagles need ahead of AFCON 2025.

Venezuela: Not a Major Test
While Venezuela has produced moments of resilience in South American football, they remain far from being a continental force.

The team, ranked outside the elite in FIFA’s global standings and still struggling for consistency, is not the sort of team that can fully expose Nigeria’s weaknesses.

Super Eagles stars. Photo Credit: CAF Comms
Yes, Venezuela can offer a competitive game in terms of organisation and physicality. But when preparing for AFCON, where Nigeria will likely face powerhouses such as Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and Ivory Coast, the standard of opposition matters.

Against these teams, mistakes are punished swiftly, and weaknesses are ruthlessly targeted—lessons a game with Venezuela may not provide in full.

Why the Super Eagles Need Tougher Friendlies
Nigeria’s recent performances in the World Cup qualifiers have raised concerns about Eric Chelle’s tactics. To address these issues, the team needs games against strong, and in-form nations.

Nigeria Beat Rwanda 1-0 In Uyo Nigeria lines up during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Nigeria s Super Eagles and Rwanda s Amavubi. Copyright: xAdekunlexAjayiximago
A Useful Run-Out, But Not Enough
To be clear, this fixture is not without value. It gives Chelle a chance to test his squad, experiment with tactics and assess fitness levels.

Super Eagles stars celebrate Tolu Arokodare’s goal against Rwanda.
Copyright: IMAGOxAdekunlexAjayix
But in terms of real preparation, it falls short. A solid test would have been a friendly against a top African side or a strong European or South American outfit with a proven competitive edge.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories.

Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work.