“I have done enough” – Eguavoen on Iheanacho, Boniface’s forms with Super Eagles

By Wale Mustapha

Interim head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, has expressed frustration with the recent performances of Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface, despite handing both players starting roles in Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Rwanda on Monday.

Both players struggled to make an impact in the match, with Boniface playing 89 minutes and Iheanacho featuring for the first 45 minutes of the game. While Eguavoen acknowledged their potential, he stressed the importance of continued support and improvement for both players.

“Kelechi Iheanacho is an asset to the national team; he needs some encouragement,” Eguavoen said in the post-match press conference in Uyo. “We spoke with him, and I told him he would start and play for 45 minutes.”

On Boniface, who was also underperforming, Eguavoen revealed that he has had multiple conversations with the striker but feels that he has done enough to support him.

“I have spoken with Boniface several times; I have done enough. He is important to this team,” the coach added.

Despite the disappointing 1-0 loss to Rwanda, Nigeria finished top of Group D in the AFCON qualifiers, securing their place in the next round of the competition. Eguavoen remains hopeful that continued encouragement will help Iheanacho and Boniface raise their performances for the Super Eagles moving forward.