From our Sports desk, Kingsley Abavo (managing editor)
Agustine Eguavoen Former Super Eagles ace defender; and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical director, Augustine Eguavoen is presiding over affairs of the men's senior national football team for the record fourth time.
Eguavoen a.k.a Cicero has been in and out as an employee of the NFF since 2006.
Before the game against the Squirrels now known as Cheetahs of Benin republic on Saturday in Uyo, he was quoted in the media to have said that his appointment was a call to national duty; hence it was difficult for him to say no for the love of the game and country.
Saying he was ready to tackle head-on the challenges which comes with the latest assignment; he acknowledged the opportunities which football has provided him and felt a sense of duty, to contribute to the team's success.
"I will do it for the love of the country and the game! Remember football gave me name and fame and the country gave me an opportunity so, it is difficult to say no at this point because of the circumstances we find ourselves in,” Eguavoen reportedly told Mastersports.
The NFF quickly drafted in the 'Nigerian Guardiola' after the German tactician Bruno Labbadia backed out of the national football body's offer to lead the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Pulse Sports reported that despite announcing the former Wolfsburg coach as the next Super Eagles boss, the NFF were yet to complete the paperwork behind that deal.
As the NFF confirmed, the Super Eagles caretaker coach is working with Tomaz Zorec as fitness coach for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.
Also, match analyst Eboboritse Uwejamomere, Enugu Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede from Remo Stars as assistants in these matches.
The Super Eagles On Saturday, 7 September, 2024, the Super Eagles in their real elements under the tutelage of Eguavoen; thrashed the Cheetahs of Benin 3-0 in the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Ademola Lookman; a bundle of talent who tormented the Beninoise team throughout the duration of the match; scored a brace and the reigning Africa Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen scored one to increase the tally to 3-0 as overall performance and quality of play of the entire team, was satisfactory.
The Super Eagles travelled on Sunday afternoon in a chartered flight to Kigali, for their second qualifier against the Amavubi (Bees) of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium, starting from 3pm Rwanda time (2pm Nigeria time) on Tuesday, September 10.
The team having a full house of talented and reliable ballers; gushing in confidence from their sterling performance and result against the Beninoise team, hope to replicate the Uyo feat and sit atop the Group D table.
"...We have players with quality, we have the calibre and quality to beat any team but we respect teams; we have the mindset, we have the potential," Eguavoen was reported to have asserted on Saturday, after the victory against the Cheetahs.
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