Eguavoen Uncertain To Continue Coaching Role After Two Match Mandate

Austin Eguavoen, interim coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, faces uncertainty to continue his coaching role following the team’s goalless draw with Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Eguavoen was appointed after negotiations between the NFF and German coach Bruno Labbadia fell through and was subsequently saddled with the responsibility of guiding Nigeria through two crucial AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.

After securing four points from the possible six, with the win over Benin and the draw against Rwanda, Eguavoen said he was satisfied with the team’s performance.

Speaking at the airport upon arrival, he insisted that his mandate was for two games only.

“I have been given a mandate to handle two games. I want to say I am very pleased with the boys and thank the NFF leadership for their support. The boys worked hard and showed discipline,” Eguavoen said.

Looking ahead to the October match against Libya, Eguavoen would not go into details as he had not been officially briefed about the future.

He, however, expressed the desire to stay as close to the team as possible and offer insights should a new coach be appointed.

“No team is a pushover anymore, but with the spirit these boys have shown, I believe we have a very bright future,” concluded Eguavoen.

In another interview early morning on Wednesday, on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, said his statement the above statement was taken out of context.

“I only talked about how I will sit down with the hierarchy of the Federation after these two games and see how we will prosecute the next games. When I saw the story, I was kind of worried and concerned. Whatever people are reading out there is not correct. I’m still very much in charge as the technical director of the federation and saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of the Super Eagles at this moment,” he said.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from earlier report. 

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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