Eguavoen Remains Super Eagles Interim Coach, Also Takes on CHAN Role
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The Nigeria Football Federation, has confirmed that Augustine Eguavoen will continue as interim head coach of the Super Eagles, following a positive run in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
In his fourth stint with the national team, Eguavoen has earned the Federation’s trust after leading the Super Eagles to a 3-0 victory against Benin Republic and a hard-fought draw with Rwanda in Kigali.
Players of the Super Eagles defend against an opponent during the 2025 AFCON Qualifying match against Rwanda.
His strong performance has made a compelling case for him to stay on.
In a communiqué released on Thursday, the NFF revealed that the decision to keep Eguavoen and his crew came as a recommendation from the Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
Eguavoen will lead the team in the next AFCON 2025 qualifiers, including a crucial match against Libya next month.
Libya National team. Photo | Libya Observer
But that’s not all – The NFF has also tasked Eguavoen with overseeing the Super Eagles B team as they prepare for the 2025 African Nations Championship, CHAN qualifiers.
This tournament, which is exclusively for players from domestic leagues across Africa, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The competition is set to take place from February 1st to 28th, 2025.
His technical crew, which includes Fidelis Ilechukwu, Daniel Ogunmodede, Olatunji Baruwa, and Tomaz Zorec, will support him in this expanded role in this tournament reserved for players from Africa’s domestic leagues.
The decision to retain Eguavoen, though not shocking, is a practical one considering the circumstances surrounding the Super Eagles.
NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau. Photo | NFF
Eguavoen’s recent success in the AFCON qualifiers, notably a dominant 3-0 win against Benin and a draw with Rwanda, has strengthened his case for the role.
Several former internationals have voiced their support for him, citing his extensive experience with the national team and his rapport with the players.
One of Eguavoen’s biggest strengths is his ability to manage the dressing room.
His man-management skills have been praised by many, and the respect he commands from the players has become a crucial asset to the team.
However, another factor at play is NFF’s finances. NFF has faced ongoing financial struggles, with reports of unpaid wages for previous coaches frequently making headlines.
This was also a key reason the deal with German coach Bruno Labbadia fell through – the NFF could not cover the tax payments associated with hiring him.
Eguavoen’s appointment appears to be a practical solution in difficult financial times—a “marriage of convenience.”
Eguavoen and his team now have the opportunity to build on their recent performances and secure Nigeria’s place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Success in the upcoming qualifiers could bolster their chances of earning the job on a permanent basis.
Super Eagles coaches led by Austin Eguavoen during a training session. Photo | X (CoachDan_Ijabal)
For Eguavoen, this is a pivotal moment. If he can lead the Super Eagles to qualification and continue to prove his worth, he could become the next major Indigenous coach to lead Nigeria, potentially filling the void left by the late Stephen Keshi, whose legacy as the last Nigerian coach to achieve significant success with the national team remains unmatched.
