The Nigeria Football Federation is reportedly considering Technical Director Austine Eguavoen to manage the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
This move follows the resignation of former head coach Finidi George in June, leaving the position vacant.
According to Daily Post, an inside source within the NFF revealed that Eguavoen is likely to assume the role temporarily for the crucial fixtures.
The source emphasized the impracticality of bringing in a new coach so close to the matches, which are less than three weeks away.
“There is no way the new coach can take charge of the Super Eagles for the games against Benin Republic and Rwanda,” the source explained. “The two games are less than three weeks away.”
The source further elaborated on the challenges a new coach would face, noting, “He will be coming into a new environment and he has not worked with the players before. He can’t be saddled with the responsibility of inviting players to camp now.”
Given the time constraints and the need for continuity, the NFF appears to be leaning towards Eguavoen.
“For now, everything is leaning towards the technical director (Eguavoen) leading the team for the two games,” the source confirmed. “He is also expected to pick some local coaches for this short assignment.”
Eguavoen, who previously led the Super Eagles to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in an interim capacity, is poised to guide the team once again.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to host their neighbors, Benin Republic, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 7.
Three days later, they will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda in what promises to be a critical fixture in their quest for qualification.
