Tag: Austin Eguavoen

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AFCONQ 2025: He Was Tormenting Them – Eguavoen On Substituting Chukwueze Against Rwanda

Augustine Eguavoen, the interim Super Eagles coach, has opened up on why he substituted Samuel Chukwueze during the second half of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying match against Rwanda on Tuesday.

Chukwueze was brought off at halftime, with Moses Simon taking his place.

Speaking at his post-match interview, Eguavoen said the AC Milan winger had to be replaced because he had a yellow card and was tormenting the hosts.

“He [Chukwueze] is very good, he’s one of our good players. Today, we came up with a strategy, he got a yellow card and he was tormenting you [Rwanda] guys,” Eguavoen told reporters.

“We had three players on yellow cards so it’s kind of a risk also. We have to make some substitutions and we have players who can go forward also.

“We thought Chukwueze should rest not because he’s not playing well but because of the risk of getting a second yellow card.”

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Super Eagles: John Ogu Advises NFF On Coach To Lead Nigeria’s National Team

John Ogu, the Super Eagles midfielder, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to retain Austin Eguavoen as head coach of the senior national team.

Recall that the NFF had appointed Eguavoen to oversee the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualification games against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Eguavoen’s appointment came after the NFF failed to get a substantive coach for the Super Eagles.

In a tweet on his X account on Wednesday, Ogu wants the NFF to keep Eguavoen in his position ahead of the AFCON qualifiers in October 2024.

“Dear @thenff, Please keep coach @coacheguavoen. Give him time to keep building the team moving forward,” Ogu tweeted.

Eguavoen, however, is expected to lead the Super Eagles in their next AFCON qualifiers in October.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: They’re All Fit – Eguavoen Speaks On Who To Start Between Okoye And Nwabali

Austin Eguavoen, the Super Eagles interim manager, has admitted that it is ‘headache’ for him to decide who will be in goal for Nigeria between Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye ahead of Saturday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier against Republic of Benin.

Eguavoen, who spoke at his pre-match press conference, said both goalkeepers are all fit.

When asked who will start in goal between both goalkeepers against Benin, Eguavoen told reporters: “The headache in the entire team. 23 quality players, some quality players that are also not in the team right now.

“So, it is headache for the coach but the good thing is that they are all fit and we can always play with 11, the required number of players and the good thing is that the players also know that.”

The match will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Eguavoen Speaks On Starting Victor Osimhen

Austin Eguavoen, the Super Eagles interim manager, has said that he would have to decide today whether to start Victor Osimhen against the Republic of Benin.

Both teams will clash in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier on Saturday evening.

The match will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Osimhen was the last player to report to the Super Eagles camp.

The 25-year-old had to sort out his future, following his failure to secure a move to Chelsea or Al Ahli from Napoli during the summer transfer window.

Osimhen ended up joining Turkish side Galatasaray on loan on Thursday, after which he arrived to join the Super Eagles in training in Uyo.

Speaking on whether Osimhen will start against Benin, Eguavoen said at his pre-match press conference:

“To answer that, you know we have a pool of 23 players. So it is something I have to sleep over and then decide who starts tomorrow.”

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It’s God’s Favour — Eguaveon Denies Lobbying For Super Eagles Coaching Role

Austin Eguavoen, the caretaker coach of the Super Eagles, has refuted claims that he lobbied for the interim coaching role.

In a recent statement released through the official Super Eagles communication channels, Eguavoen emphasized that his appointment was not a result of any personal efforts or influence but rather the manifestation of divine favor.

“I am a member of the Federation, working as the Technical Director Nigerian Football Federation,” he said.

“When a situation like this comes and you are being called upon, you can’t say no. It’s a task that I had performed; it is a duty that falls under my responsibility.

“For the fact that the hierarchy of the Federation now feels and thinks that I can salvage the situation, why not? But one thing should be clear to the public: I didn’t ask for this; I didn’t lobby for this, I didn’t apply for this; it is God’s favour.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the appointment of Augustine Eguavoen as the interim head coach of the Super Eagles for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

The decision came after negotiations with German coach Bruno Labbadia broke down.

Eguavoen, 59, who has served as the national team’s technical director since 2020, will temporarily take charge during this international break.

The Super Eagles legend is no stranger to the role, having previously coached the national team in three different stints, the most recent being in 2021 when he led the team at the AFCON following the sudden dismissal of former coach Gernot Rohr.

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