National Teams
Eguavoen reflects on differences between 1994 Super Eagles and current squad
By Monsurah Olatunji
Augustine Eguavoen, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has shared his thoughts on the major differences between the iconic 1994 Super Eagles — often hailed as the “Golden Generation” — and the current Super Eagles squad.
The 59-year-old, who has been deeply involved with the Super Eagles in various capacities as a player, coach, and administrator, was part of the legendary 1994 team that clinched the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
He later managed the team and led them to a bronze medal at the 2006 AFCON and gave a few notable distinctions between the two generations of Nigerian footballers.
“There is a slight difference, not really major,” he said when speaking on the Home Turf podcast.
“The first thing is about character. In our day, there wasn’t so much money involved, and we were very dedicated. I’m not saying these players aren’t dedicated now, but times change. It’s a generational thing.”
Eguavoen emphasized the deep bond the ’94 team had, as many of them played in local Nigerian clubs like Stationery Stores and Bendel Insurance before transitioning through the Flying Eagles. He credits this shared journey for fostering a unique sense of unity and a “streetwise” mentality among the players.
“The present Eagles are technically very strong, and today, football is more tactical than physical,” Eguavoen noted.
