Why FC Porto signed Terem Moffi – Former Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro

Terem Moffi. Photo Credit: FC Porto X

Former Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro believes FC Porto have secured a forward well suited to their ambitions after completing the loan signing of Terem Moffi from OGC Nice, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian striker joined the Portuguese giants until the end of the season, with Porto holding the option to make the move permanent.

The deal was driven by Porto head coach Francesco Farioli, who previously worked closely with Moffi during their time together at Nice, when the forward enjoyed his most productive spell at the club.

Peseiro, who coached Porto briefly in 2016, is well placed to assess the move. He also worked extensively with Moffi during his time in charge of Nigeria, handing the striker a prominent role in the Super Eagles set-up.

Although Moffi made his international debut under Gernot Rohr in 2021, it was under Peseiro that he found his scoring touch, netting all four of his goals for Nigeria across 13 appearances.

That trust extended to tournament football, with Peseiro selecting Moffi for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria reached the final and finished runners-up to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.

The 65-year-old has no doubts about the striker’s ability to settle quickly in Portugal, insisting familiarity with Farioli’s ideas will be key.

Peseiro explained, via One football, that “if Farioli knows him and wants to sign him, it’s because he understands that Moffi has the ability and quality for his style of play.”

Peseiro added that Moffi “is perfectly adapted to European football, he is a player with the ability to adapt and with the quality to play in Portugal.”

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Rather than comparing Moffi to Porto’s other attacking options, Peseiro focused on the attributes he believes make the Nigerian a strong fit.

The former Braga manager described Moffi as “a forward with technical quality and the ability to link up and provide depth to the team,” highlighting “his short diagonal runs along the opposing defensive line” and calling him “a striker to play in the ‘number 9’ position.”

Peseiro also stressed Moffi’s intelligence in possession, noting:

“He has the ability to link up play, not only through direct support, but also with through passes behind the opponent’s defensive line.”

For Moffi himself, the move represents a chance to reset after a difficult final period at Nice.

Speaking to Porto’s official website following his unveiling, the 26-year-old spoke of pride and relief at joining one of Portugal’s most decorated clubs.

“I feel very proud to be here and to wear the colours of this club. It’s really emotional for me, and I appreciate the president, the coach and the fans,” he said.

“Porto are a club that always wants to win trophies and compete at the highest level, both in the league and in the Champions League. It feels good to be here.”

Moffi could make his debut for the two-time European champions in Porto’s upcoming Liga Portugal fixture against Casa Pia.

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

A lifelong fan of Arsenal and the Super Eagles, Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng, where his journey as a journalist began more than six years ago. Since then, he has helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and guided it toward some of its proudest milestones.

With a background in Engineering and further training in journalism and digital media, Imhons brings both precision and passion to his storytelling. His love for football runs deep, but he also follows boxing, chess, and athletics with equal curiosity.