- Eguavoen expresses confidence that the Super Eagles have the necessary resources and talent to succeed in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers
- The coach assures fans that the Nigerian Football Federation and the technical crew are fully committed to supporting the team
- Eguavoen remains optimistic that the Super Eagles will make Nigeria proud in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers
As the 2013 AFCON champions gear up to face a Gernot Rohr-led Benin side in their first qualifying fixture, all eyes are on the Super Eagles.
The team is set to begin their quest for redemption after consistent woeful performances, with just four days left before the encounter.
Nigeria's interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has made it clear that while the Super Eagles will show respect to their opponents, they will fiercely defend their home ground.
Eguavoen, who stepped into the role following recent changes in the coaching staff, emphasized the importance of respect in the upcoming match.
"Nigeria is a nation that a lot of countries respect, and there is no difference in this one. I am very confident that we will scale through these two games and beyond. We have the materials, we have the players, we have the personnel and the support," he stated, reassuring fans that he is confident in the ability of the Super Eagles.
The interim coach urged his players to remember their near victory in the last AFCON tournament.
"The only thing we have to remind these players about is that they were almost African champions months ago. It is not even a year yet. So what went wrong? It is still them," he said, calling for individual introspection and a return to form.
Eguavoen assured fans that the technical crew, along with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), would do everything in their power to support the team.
"We will do everything we have to do as the technical crew, and of course, the Federation and Nigerians will rally around them. They are the ones to turn the table around."
Eguavoen's message to the players was clear, they have the talent and the resources to succeed, but they must rise to the challenge.
"It is not bad. I have spoken to them. We are still going to have a series of meetings. I am very confident they will come out there and make the nation proud," he stated.
The interim coach also stressed the importance of treating Benin with respect.
"We will treat Benin with utmost respect. No doubt about that because if you disrespect fit people, you will have a problem. We will play them with Big respect but hey, this is our home."
The Super Eagles, led by vice-captain William Troost-Ekong, are currently in Uyo, preparing for the crucial clash. Eguavoen, who also serves as the Technical Director of the Nigerian Football Federation, reiterated that his appointment as interim coach was not something he sought out, he insisted that it was an act of divine intervention,
"I didn’t ask for this; I didn’t lobby for this, I didn’t apply for this; it is God’s favour."
With the weight of a nation as large and diverse as Nigeria on his shoulders, Coach Eguavoen remains confident that his team will rise to the occasion and make Nigeria proud.
Super Eagles announces team for September AFCON qualifiers game
Previously, TheRadar reported that the Super Eagles of Nigeria have announced their squad for September’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen included among the 23 players selected.
Also returning to the squad are Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi and William Troost-Ekong, who recently transferred to Al-Kholood FC in Saudi Arabia.
