2025 AFCONQ: Eguavoen describes role at Super Eagles as clarion call from Nigerians

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The interim coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, Augustine Eguavoen opined that his appointment as interim coach of the Super Eagles is a divine assignment.

With negotiations between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and German coach, Bruno Labbadia breaking down, NFF opted for the Federation Head of Technical Department to be in charge of the three time African champions on an interim basis ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.

This will be the fourth stint of Eguavoen in charge of the 2013 African champions after previously managing the team in 2005 to 2007, in 2010, and again in 2022.

Eguavoen speaking at the Press Conference ahead of Saturday’s 2025 African Nations Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday said he didn’t ask for the job but it came and could not reject coming to give a helping hand at a time the country he loves so much needs his services.

“The position I occupied right now as Super Eagles Coach, I didn’t beg for it,” Eguavoen told journalists.

‘It’s an intervention from God. It’s not possible for me to reject serving a country I love so much.

“Nigerians love football, and anytime the opportunity to lead the Super Eagles comes, I think I should react positively to that. I am here today due to call from Nigeria and Nigerians.”

While reacting to questions about the team being under pressure given the fact that they have not won their last two games, he said: “no, personally, I am not but there is pressure in the air that we must win tomorrow (Saturday). Nigeria placed herself so high and the game against Benin Republic is nothing but winning. The mood in the camp is good, and we are coming out to win.”

The three times African champions will trade tackles with Benin Republic on Saturday and play against Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday in the Matchday 1 and 2 of the 2025 African Nations Cup.

They hope to end the bad run of a win, a draw, and two losses in their last four games including during two friendly matches after silver winning feat at AFCON 2024.