The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Augustine Eguavoen will remain in his role as caretaker coach for the Super Eagles in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Libya. This announcement ends the uncertainty surrounding the team’s leadership as Nigeria prepares for crucial back-to-back games in October.
The decision to stick with Eguavoen came after weeks of speculation over the appointment of a new head coach, with many fans and analysts questioning the delay in hiring a foreign manager. Eguavoen, who had earlier indicated he might step aside after a 0-0 draw with Rwanda, now faces the responsibility of leading the Super Eagles through these important matches.
The confusion about Eguavoen’s future began after Nigeria’s draw against Rwanda, where Eguavoen hinted that his time with the team might be over. “It ends today. I can’t talk about Libya, because I haven’t been told about it,” he told reporters at Kigali Airport. Eguavoen’s comments led to widespread speculation that the NFF was in the process of finding a new coach, potentially a foreign expert, to take over the team’s long-term management.
However, the NFF’s recent announcement puts an end to the immediate search for a new coach, at least for the upcoming games against Libya. This means Eguavoen will remain in charge, tasked with preparing the team, selecting players, and developing tactical strategies to ensure victory in these pivotal matches.
The decision to stick with Eguavoen has sparked a range of reactions from fans, analysts, and pundits alike. Many are questioning the logic behind halting the search for a new coach so close to the AFCON qualifiers, while others see the decision as a practical move under the circumstances.
Clinton McDubus, a respected football analyst and podcaster, supports the NFF’s choice, citing the limited time available to bring in a new coach before the Libya matches. McDubus explained, “They’ve left it too late, searching for the coach they’ve been searching for. And games are coming thick and fast. Right now, continuity beats a new start.” According to him, bringing in a foreign coach at this stage would disrupt the team’s preparations, and keeping Eguavoen for now is the best decision.
McDubus also suggested that if Eguavoen performs well in the remaining qualifying matches, he might have a chance to retain the position permanently. “If he runs through all the qualifying games before the New Year and wins them comfortably, I believe they will just stick with him and make it permanent again,” McDubus said. For now, it appears the NFF is leaving the door open for Eguavoen to prove himself while keeping an eye on other coaching options for the long term.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are currently sitting at the top of Group D in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, having earned four points from their first two games. Eguavoen’s team opened the campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo but were later held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Rwanda. Despite the mixed results, the Super Eagles have shown promise, particularly in their defensive solidity, having kept two clean sheets in their opening fixtures.
The Super Eagles will now face Libya in two crucial matches. They will host the North African side on October 11, before traveling to Tripoli for the return leg on October 15. Libya currently sits at the bottom of the group with only one point, making these games a key opportunity for Nigeria to solidify their qualification chances.
Under Eguavoen, Nigeria has shown flashes of strong, organized play, particularly in defense. The team’s ability to keep clean sheets has been a positive aspect of his tenure so far. However, there are still areas where the coach needs to improve, especially when it comes to making tactical adjustments during matches.
According to McDubus, Eguavoen’s main weakness lies in his inability to adapt his tactics when his primary game plan is neutralized by opposing teams. “I think his ability to react when his primary tactic has been figured out and shut down is his biggest weakness,” McDubus explained. This issue becomes even more apparent when Nigeria faces stronger teams with more tactically astute managers. Eguavoen will need to be more flexible and willing to make adjustments during matches, especially when his initial strategy is not working.
Additionally, McDubus pointed out that Eguavoen tends to rely too much on pre-planned substitutions rather than making changes based on the flow of the game. He emphasized the importance of making “subs that are relevant to the specific situation of the game” rather than sticking to a rigid plan.
While Augustine Eguavoen’s future as the head coach of the Super Eagles remains uncertain, his immediate focus is on leading Nigeria through the two crucial AFCON qualifiers against Libya. With Nigeria in a strong position in Group D, victories in these upcoming matches could go a long way in securing the team’s place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
However, the NFF’s decision to pause their search for a new coach raises important questions about the long-term direction of the team. If Eguavoen can deliver results, he may well earn the chance to continue as the permanent head coach. But if the Super Eagles falter, the NFF could resume their search for an experienced foreign manager after the New Year, during the extended international break.
For now, all eyes are on Eguavoen and the Super Eagles as they prepare for their critical double-header against Libya. Fans will be watching closely to see if Eguavoen can rise to the challenge and secure Nigeria’s path to AFCON 2025.
