Sports

Eguavoen denies quitting as interim coach of Super Eagles

JUST IN: Eguavoen steps down as NFF terminates contracts of entire technical crew of Super Eagles

Austin Eguavoen has denied stepping down as the interim coach of the Super Eagles after the two 2025 AFCON qualifiers against the Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Eguavoen was appointed by the NFF to take charge of the two games following the inability of the federation to secure the services of German coach, Bruno Labbadia.

The 59-year-old led Nigeria to a 3-0 win over the Benin Republic in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last Saturday before being held to a goalless draw in the second game against Rwanda on Tuesday.

After Tuesday’s goalless draw in Kigali, London reports broke out that Eguavoen stepped down as interim coach but the gaffer has denied the reports ahead of next month’s AFCON qualifiers double header against Libya.

“It’s quite unfortunate that people just trigger something that is not correct. And the situation we are in now, we don’t need negative stories,” Eguavoen said on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja in a media chat.

“I only talked about sitting down with the hierarchy of the federation after these two games and we will see how to go about prosecuting the next games.

“But when I saw that story I was worried. Whatever people are reading out there aren’t correct. I’m still very much in charge. I’m the Technical Director of the NFF, saddled with the responsibility of taking the Super Eagles at this moment,” he said.

Sports

Eguavoen unveils Super Eagles squad for Libya clash

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya.

Captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and 20 other players have been called up for the home-and-away battles. The team includes:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, and Amas Obasogie

Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, and Benjamin Tanimu

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, and Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, and Taiwo Awoniyi

Notably absent due to injury is Victor Osimhen, while Olisa Ndah also misses out. Bright Osayi-Samuel returns after missing the previous matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

The Super Eagles will host Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on October 11 and travel to Benghazi for the return leg on October 15. Players are expected to report in Uyo on October 7.

Sports

AFCON 2025 Qualifyer: We will approach Libya game like World cup final – Eguavoen

Eguavoen admits it’s tough coaching football nation like Nigeria

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen says the team will approach the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya like a “World Cup” final.

The three-time African champions will face the Mediterranean Knights in a matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next week Friday.

The West Africans will battle with the North Africans in away territory four days later.

“We play against Libya back-to-back, it will be the same approach that we had for the previous games, but it’s a game at a time, so game 3 (vs Libya) is a World Cup final,” Eguavoen told Brila FM.

“No game will be easy, but we will do everything possible to put smiles on the face of Nigerians

“We need the fans to be patient and they should support the team with all our hearts.

“We hope to have the full complement of the team, let the boys stay injury-free, we have the players who can rule the world.”

Sports

Why I rejected Super Eagles job – French coach, Hervé Renard reveals

French coach, Hervé Renard, has revealed why he rejected an offer to become the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Renard, who has enjoyed stints at Ivory Coast and Zambia, disclosed that he was approached by the Nigeria Football Federation after the exit of Finidi George in May.

According to Renard, the NFF’s offer was the most lucrative he had received, but after much deliberation, he decided to decline.

“I almost went to Nigeria. I weighed the pros and cons for a few days, even weeks, before eventually turning it down. It was the best offer I’ve had so far, but it didn’t suit me in the end,” Renard told French outlet L’Équipe, as reported by Brila FM.

Augustine Eguavoen, who was first made interim coach last month, has since been appointed as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.