- Nigeria’s national men team’s coach Austin Eguavoen defended his team after a lacklustre 1-1 draw with Benin, ensuring Nigeria's qualification for the 2025 AFCON
- Victor Osimhen’s late header secured the draw, maintaining Nigeria’s unbeaten record and top spot in their qualifying group
- Eguavoen assured fans of the team’s ability to compete at the highest level, emphasising Nigeria’s determination to uphold their AFCON standards
Austin Eguavoen, the interim head coach of the Super Eagles, has offered reassurances to fans following Nigeria's underwhelming performance in their 1-1 draw against Benin. Despite concerns about the team’s form, the result secured Nigeria's qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The match played at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, began with an early shock as Benin took the lead in the 16th minute.
Mohamed Tijani capitalised on a perfectly delivered cross from Junior Olaitan, heading past the Nigerian defence with precision. For much of the game, the Super Eagles struggled to find cohesion, sparking criticism of their seemingly sluggish play.
However, Victor Osimhen emerged as Nigeria’s saviour yet again. With just nine minutes remaining, the striker connected with Moses Simon’s pinpoint cross to head in the equaliser, sparking jubilant celebrations among Nigerian fans. The draw preserved Nigeria’s unbeaten record in the qualifying group.
Eguavoen, addressing the post-match concerns, dismissed claims that the players had approached the game complacently, given that Rwanda’s earlier loss to Libya had already ensured their qualification. The coach stressed the importance of maintaining high standards, saying,
“We haven’t lost a game coming into this, and we aim to keep it that way. Worst case scenario, we draw.”
He emphasised his faith in the team’s abilities, asserting,
“We have all the qualities and whatever it takes to beat anybody anytime. Pressure or not, we didn’t let it affect us.”
Eguavoen also reminded fans of Nigeria’s storied history in the AFCON, stating,
“Nigeria is a team that commands respect. We almost won the tournament last time, and we’re determined to maintain that standard.”
With 11 points, the Super Eagles sit comfortably on top of their group, four points clear of second-placed Benin. As they prepare for the tournament in Morocco, Eguavoen’s confidence will certainly be a morale boost for the fans and players alike.
Arokodare optimistic about Super Eagles future after leading Nigerian scoring charts in Europe
Previously, TheRadar reported that Genk forward Tolu Arokodare, who had taken European football by storm this season, was in no rush to earn a Super Eagles call-up despite his remarkable form.
The young Nigerian sensation led the scoring chart among Nigerian players in Europe’s top 15 leagues earlier this season, outpacing stars like Victor Boniface, Akor Adams, and Victor Osimhen. Yet, he remained patient, knowing that the competition for places in the Super Eagles is fierce.
