By Ademola Tijani
Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has denied rumors that he has stepped down from his position following the team’s goalless draw against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Tuesday.
According to Daily Query, speculation about Eguavoen’s resignation began to circulate after his post-match comments in Kigali, where the Super Eagles played their second qualifying match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which ended 0-0 at the Amahoro Stadium.
Speaking to journalists after the team arrived in Abuja, Eguavoen labeled the rumors as “false and misleading,” clarifying that his statements had been taken out of context.
He stressed that he remained in charge of the national team and intended to discuss the team’s performance with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership.
“It is quite unfortunate that people would just trigger something that is not correct, and at the situation that we are in now, we don’t need negative stories,” Eguavoen explained. He went on to clarify his previous remarks, saying, “I only talked about sitting down with the hierarchy of the federation after these two games to see how we go about prosecuting the next games.”
He also expressed concern over the spread of the misinformation, stating, “But, when I saw that story, I was kind of really worried and concerned. Whatever people are reading out there is not correct, and I am still very much in charge.”
Eguavoen reaffirmed his role, saying, “I am the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of the Super Eagles at this moment, and that’s where we are.”
Augustine Eguavoen’s appointment as the interim coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria was marked by a strategic decision by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to steady the team during a transitional phase.
Eguavoen, a former Super Eagles player and coach, has a long-standing relationship with Nigerian football, which made him a reliable choice for the NFF.
Eguavoen was initially appointed as Technical Director of the NFF, a role in which he was responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of Nigerian football, including the development of youth teams and advising on the senior national team.
However, following the sacking of then-head coach Gernot Rohr in December 2021, the NFF turned to Eguavoen as a temporary solution to guide the team through important upcoming fixtures, particularly the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
Rohr’s dismissal came after a period of underwhelming performances by the Super Eagles, despite his relatively successful tenure that saw Nigeria qualify for several major tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFCON, where they finished third. Nevertheless, Rohr’s style of play and failure to dominate African competition caused dissatisfaction among fans and football stakeholders in the country, prompting the NFF to make the change.
Eguavoen’s appointment was seen as a safe pair of hands for the interim role. As a former international player with over 50 caps for Nigeria and a previous head coach of the Super Eagles, he brought experience and knowledge of Nigerian football to the table. He had previously led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2006 AFCON, which earned him respect in the football community. His familiarity with the players and the federation also contributed to his selection.
In his capacity as interim coach, Eguavoen’s immediate task is to lead the Super Eagles in the 2021 AFCON and prepare them for the crucial 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Although his role is initially temporary, there is a sense that a successful AFCON campaign could influence the NFF to extend his tenure.
However, his appointment came with significant pressure, as Nigerian football fans and officials expected results that would reflect the country’s footballing pedigree.
Eguavoen’s hiring was also part of a larger strategy by the NFF to evaluate and possibly restructure the national team’s coaching setup.
The federation made it clear that while Eguavoen was an interim appointment, they were actively searching for a permanent coach.
This balancing act between maintaining stability and planning for the future highlighted the NFF’s cautious approach in ensuring that Nigeria remained competitive on the African and global stages.
Ultimately, Eguavoen’s appointment symbolized the NFF’s faith in homegrown talent and its recognition of his deep-rooted understanding of Nigerian football culture.
It also reflected the federation’s desire for a coach who could command respect from both players and fans, all while working within the high expectations placed on Nigerian football teams.
