Some former Nigeria internationals have given their verdict regarding Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen’s uncertain future with the national team.
There were recent reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is still mulling the idea of employing a foreign coach for the Super Eagles.
The NFF had appointed Eguavoen to take charge of the Super Eagles on interim capacity in September, this year.
Eguavoen guided the team through the recently concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers.
Under his guidance, the Super Eagles secured qualification from Group D with three wins, two draws and one defeat from six matches.
But the 59-year-old’s future is, however, uncertain with the NFF reportedly still planning to hire a foreign coach for the three-time African champions ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in March, 2025.
As a result, former Nigerian players like Sunday Oliseh, Samson Siasia and Mutiu Adepoju, in their recent reactions, gave their verdicts on Eguavoen and the Super Eagles managerial position.
Oliseh declared his support for Eguavoen to continue as the coach of the Super Eagles.
The former midfielder described his former international teammate as a ‘smart and honest guy.’
Austin Eguavoen is a smart guy. He’s not stupid. And I also want to say that he has my full support. Because he’s somebody I respect a lot,” Oliseh said.
“He’s somebody I struggled with, bringing glory to our fatherland. He is an honest and decent guy.
On his part , Siasia urged Eguavoen to step down from the role as interim coach of the Super Eagles.
According to him, Eguavoen can’t be in charge of the team and at the same time act in his capacity as the Technical Director of the NFF.
He also urged the NFF not to hire a foreign coach for the team.
“We don’t want any foreign coach here because they’re not coming to do anything,” Siasia said.
As for Austin Eguavoen’s future with the Super Eagles, I will suggest that we wait a while to see how the team will be.
“Eguavoen has a job already as the technical director. He should resign as Super Eagles manager and concentrate on his job,” he added.
Similarly, Adepoju called on the NFF to keep Eguavoen in charge of the Super Eagles.
“I would rate him very well. Number one, we’ve qualified for the AFCON, which is one of the objectives,” Adepoju said.
They should keep encouraging him. I believe he’s getting things done, I will rate him high, let’s just keep supporting him.”
Speaking with DAILY POST on Monday, assistant coach of Yaba FC, Ahmed Omale, urged the NFF to make a ‘quick decision’ regarding Eguavoen and the Super Eagles ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifier.
Honestly, the NFF should make a quick decision regarding Eguavoen and the Super Eagles.
“How long do they want Eguavoen to keep acting as interim coach of Nigeria’s national team?” Omale questioned.
“The man has done well by qualifying the team for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
The next task is to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the sooner the issue of this Super Eagles coaching job is sorted permanently, the better.
“I think their next World Cup qualifier is in three months’ time. So there is no more time.
If the NFF want to continue with Eguavoen, then they should just make him a permanent coach so that he can fully concentrate in his job because he is still the Technical Director of the NFF.
“For me, I am not against a foreign coach or a local coach for the Super Eagles. As long as the coach can deliver in his job, starting with securing the World Cup ticket, I am fine.
But the NFF should make a decision as a matter of urgency.”
“I wish the team all the best and hope they secure the World Cup ticket after missing out on the last edition in Qatar,” he further stated.
