Austin Eguavoen, the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has denied reports that he is stepping down as the interim coach of the Super Eagles.
Eguavoen was appointed to lead the team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Benin Republic and Rwanda. This appointment came after the NFF struggled to secure German coach Bruno Labbadia due to stringent German tax laws.
The 59-year-old coach led the Super Eagles to a 3-0 victory over the Benin Republic on September 7, 2024, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This win was seen as a positive start for Eguavoen’s interim tenure.
However, the Super Eagles were held to a goalless draw by Rwanda on September 10, 2024, in Kigali. Following the draw, there were rumours that Eguavoen would step down as interim coach.
In response to these rumours, Eguavoen addressed the situation upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He expressed frustration with the false reports and clarified his position.
“It’s quite unfortunate that people just trigger something that is not correct,” Eguavoen said. “And the situation we are in now, we don’t need negative stories.”
Eguavoen explained that he only mentioned discussing his role with the NFF after the two qualifying matches. He emphasised that he remains in charge and is focused on preparing the team for upcoming fixtures.
“I only talked about sitting down with the hierarchy of the federation after these two games and we will see how to go about prosecuting the next games,” he said. “But when I saw that story I was worried. Whatever people are reading out there aren’t correct. I’m still very much in charge. I’m the Technical Director of the NFF, saddled with the responsibility of taking the Super Eagles at this moment.”
Eguavoen’s appointment as interim coach was a response to the NFF’s difficulty in securing a permanent coach. German coach Bruno Labbadia was initially considered for the role but could not be signed due to tax issues in Germany.
The NFF then turned to Eguavoen, who is well-regarded in Nigerian football. Eguavoen previously served as the head coach of the Super Eagles and led the team to a successful run in various competitions. His experience and understanding of Nigerian football made him a suitable choice for this interim role.
Under Eguavoen’s guidance, the Super Eagles secured a strong win against the Benin Republic, showcasing their potential and strength in the group. The victory was a boost for the team and Eguavoen’s interim leadership.
The goalless draw against Rwanda, while not ideal, did not mark a defeat. It was a challenging match, and securing a draw away from home can be seen as a positive outcome in the context of the qualifiers.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles are set to face Libya in the next round of AFCON qualifiers. These matches will be crucial for Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Eguavoen’s role will be critical in preparing the team for these upcoming games. His experience and leadership will be vital in navigating the challenges and ensuring the team performs well.
The NFF has not officially commented on the speculation about Eguavoen stepping down.
