The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but their journey to the tournament has been marred by a surprising 2-1 loss to Rwanda in their final qualifier. Although the team had already secured their spot before this defeat, the performance left many questioning the quality of the squad and whether interim coach Austin Eguavoen is the right man to lead them into the next stage.
Nigeria had already confirmed their qualification for AFCON 2025 after Rwanda’s loss to Libya. This meant the Super Eagles only needed a draw against Benin Republic to top Group D, which they achieved with a 1-1 result. However, their final match against Rwanda was a different story. Despite taking the lead with a brilliant solo effort from Samuel Chukwueze, Nigeria’s defense faltered, allowing Rwanda to score two goals and secure the win.
The loss raised eyebrows, especially since Nigeria was playing at home in Uyo, and it highlighted some weaknesses in the team. The game lacked intensity, with Nigeria failing to create many clear opportunities. It seemed like the players were not fully committed, possibly due to having already secured their AFCON ticket.
While Nigeria’s qualification for AFCON 2025 is a positive achievement, the defeat to Rwanda has led to questions about the future of interim coach Austin Eguavoen. Some believe that Nigeria needs a fresh direction and that Eguavoen should step aside to allow for a more experienced, possibly foreign, coach to take over.
Femi Fabunmi, a respected journalist, called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to start the process of hiring a new coach. While he acknowledged that Eguavoen had done his best, Fabunmi suggested it might be time for him to return to his role as technical director. He argued that Nigeria needs a coach who can guide the team through the remaining World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON tournament with a fresh approach.
The loss to Rwanda also raised concerns about the team’s overall performance. According to Fabunmi, there were too many gaps in the squad, and Nigeria didn’t show the quality expected from a team of their stature. The defeat, especially on home soil, was seen as damaging to their FIFA ranking and reputation. It was a reminder that, despite qualifying, Nigeria cannot afford to take their foot off the gas.
Looking ahead to AFCON 2025, the Super Eagles must reassess their squad and approach to matches. The team needs to find a balance between individual brilliance and collective teamwork to compete at the highest level. They also need to ensure that every game, whether a qualifier or a friendly, is treated with the utmost seriousness.
As the clock ticks down to the tournament, Nigeria has a lot of work to do to regain the confidence of their fans and prove they can challenge for the AFCON title. The question remains: Can Austin Eguavoen lead them to success, or is it time for a change at the helm?
