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Tag: Augustine Eguavoen

  • What Super Eagles victory against Libya means to me – Eguaveon

    What Super Eagles victory against Libya means to me – Eguaveon

    Super Eagles Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has described the one goal win against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers as a huge relief  to him and his players.

    Eguavoen, who was highly excited during the post match briefing at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium in Uyo on Friday,  said he expected his players to have scored more goals.

    The Super Eagles played agoalless with the Mediterranean Knights in the first 45 minute and until Dele Bashiru came to their rescue in the 87 minutes in the second half.

    The Super Eagles coach said the Mediterranean Knights tactics robbed his team of their goals, as they played defensive throughout the first half of the match.

    Eguavoen, however, thanked God for the victory which gave the team the maximum points, giving the Super Eagles seven points and standing tall in Group D.

    He acknowledged that the Super Eagles players played well, but for the Mediterranean Knights tactics they would have scored more goals.

    “Emotions were high, and when the goal came, it was a huge relieve. Actually, we should have scored more goals  but the tactics that they deployed was compact  as they defended in numbers when the ball was in their area.

    “We were a bit slow in the first  half, but the boys picked up in the second half and ball circulation became faster as instructed. The last 25 minutes was better,” Eguaveon said.

    Eguaveon promised to restrategise and put a more formidable team in their return match in Libya on Tuesday.

    Super Eagles Captain, William Ekong assured Uyo fans that the team will qualify to play in 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

    He said the players will be more clinical in their approach to the march in Lybia.

    In a post match interview, the Coach of Mediterranean Knights, Nasser Al-Hadri, said he was happy with the  outcome of the match, stressing that the players will do better at home.

  • BREAKING: Augustine Eguavoen to continue as Super Eagles’ coach

    BREAKING: Augustine Eguavoen to continue as Super Eagles’ coach

    Augustine Eguavoen will continue as Super Eagles’ Head Coach and will lead the team for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in October.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) gave the approval on Thursday as recommended by the Technical and Development Sub-Committee of the NFF.

    Recall that rumours of Eguavoen’s resignation made the rounds earlier this month after the Super Eagles were held to a barren draw against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali. Eguavoen quickly dismissed rumours and affirmed that he was still in charge of the Super Eagles and would sit down with the federation’s hierarchy to evaluate the team’s performance, following the two matches played.

    The 58-year-old gaffer, in temporary charge of the squad he had led three times previously, steered the three-time African champions to a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic and scoreless draw with Rwanda in Matchdays 1 and 2 earlier this month.

    Eguavoen and the current technical crew that also includes Fidelis Ilechukwu, Daniel Ogunmodede, Olatunji Baruwa and Tomaz Zorec will also take charge of the Super Eagles B team for the qualifying campaign for next year’s African Nations Championship, otherwise known as CHAN.

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face off against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya on October 11th and October 15th. The first leg would be played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

  • Rwanda vs Nigeria: Coach Eguavoen reveals game plan

    Rwanda vs Nigeria: Coach Eguavoen reveals game plan

    Interim Head Coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen has revealed the game plan he will adopt against the Amavubi (the Wasps) of Rwanda in Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Coach Eguavoen to have said at Nigeria’s press conference on Monday ahead of the Rwanda vs Nigeria game that he has no game plan per se but that “the plan is the three points”.

    “We are here to get the result and yes we respect our opponent,” Eguavoen said, while he had earlier noted that his squad “is on a momentum” as they prepare for the 2025 AFCON qualifying match.

    “We have quality players, who can play in different styles of football, different formations, different systems. So, whatever formation or system Rwanda comes up with tomorrow, we have the personnel to deal with it,” he added.

    The Super Eagles began their campaign in the 2025 AFCON qualifier on a bright note with a 3-0 thrashing of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.

    “We have the right mentality now, and the mood in camp is excellent. Everyone in camp is eager for us to pick up the three points in Rwanda and stay firmly on top of the qualifying table.

    “We are here for business and I am happy that everyone is on the same page. I am also happy that we have arrived here in good time, and the players can rest well while we look forward to the official training on Monday afternoon,” he said.

    The Nigerian delegation to Tuesday’s match, which departed the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo at 12.48 p.m. on Sunday, landed at the Kigali International Airport at 4.20 p.m.(Nigeria time)

    The delegation, which included 23 players and the team’s officials, was led by President of NFF, Ibrahim Gusau.

    Others were; NFF 1st Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu and a couple of Executive Committee Members, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, a couple of NFF Staff, few stakeholders and few media representatives.

    Team captain William Ekong said: “There is nothing much to say other than that we are here for a purpose. Our target is the three points, and we have spoken among ourselves on the imperative of going hard for it from the first blast of the referee’s whistle.

    “It is going to be a tough game because Rwanda have a good team and got a point from their first match. We must not relent throughout the 90 minutes.”

    The Amavubi of Rwanda forced Libya’s Mediterranean Knights to a 1-1 draw in Tripoli in their own match day 1 encounter. Tuesday’s match will kick off at 3 p.m. Rwanda time (2pm Nigeria time).

  • AFCON qualifier: What coach Eguavoen said after Super Eagles beat Benin 3-0

    AFCON qualifier: What coach Eguavoen said after Super Eagles beat Benin 3-0

    Caretaker coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Augustine Eguavoen has said the Nigerian senior national football team have the calibre of players and can adopt any formation and be successful.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Eguavoen said this shortly after the Super Eagles thrashed Les Guepards of Benin Republic 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

    Eguavoen opted for a 3-4-3 formation in the qualifiers against Benin Republic for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for Morocco. The Super Eagles beat Benin Republic 3-0 using 3-4-3 formation.

    Speaking during the post match presser along with captain William Troost-Ekong, Eguavoen said: “The formation is only information. We have players of quality, and we can decide to play with any system. There is something we discussed, and I slept over it, and I know that with the calibre of players we have, we can decide to play any formation and be successful.

    “The players are always there, and when much is expected by Nigerians, that is when you see them performing. We have been getting a lot of backlash, and the boys didn’t know this. And we know we have the calibre and quality to beat any team, but we have to respect teams anyway.

    “So anybody can come here and do the same thing. It’s the mindset, and we have the potential, but it is how you check out your opponent and give information [to players], and then they will go out and do the job”.

    Watch excerpts from the post match presser below:

    TNG reports the SUper Eagles who had lost 1-2 to Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire in June took the lead in added time of first half. Ademola Lookman put Nigeria ahead after going past four defenders before placing beyond the goalkeeper.

    Victor Osimhen who replaced Victor Boniface in the 72nd minute, scored the second goal for the Super Eagles in the 78th minute, slicing in a well-calculated pass from Wilfred Ndidi. Lookman went on to add the third goal in the match’s closing minutes to comfortably place the Super Eagles in their group ahead of their next match on Tuesday in Kigali.

    With this victory, the Super Eagles have put a stop to their three-match winless run at home after whitewashing Sao Tome and Principe  6-0 in September 2023. Nigeria will take on hosts Rwanda in their next group game in Kigali on Tuesday.

  • CBN/NFF Football Competition to hold in Kano, Akure, Bauchi, Gombe

    CBN/NFF Football Competition to hold in Kano, Akure, Bauchi, Gombe

    This year’s edition of the annual CBN/NFF Football Competition will begin on Wednesday next week with 12 teams battling in group stage encounters in Kano and Akure cities.

    At the Draw ceremony held inside the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday, the organizers disclosed that the group phase attrition will last between 23rd – 30th November, with two groups playing in Kano and the other two playing in the Ondo State capital. The quarter final matches take place 1st – 2nd December also in Kano and Akure.

    Semi-final matches will be decided on 6th December at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi while the Final will be staged at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe on Saturday, 10th December.

    At the event were NFF’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen; Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire; Ag. Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Head of Audit, Mathias Yohanna; Head of National Competitions, Ayo Abdulrahaman; Head of Marketing, Alizor Chuks; Head of Women’s Football, Amina Daura; Head of Protocol, Barnabas Joro and; Special Assistant to General Secretary, Mohammed Ameenu.

    Mr. Obibia Edere, Head of Events Management and Wudiri Musa (Senior Manager, Events Management) represented the sponsors, Central Bank of Nigeria.

  • U23 AFCON Qualifiers: Eguavoen visits Olympic Eagles at training in Ibadan

    U23 AFCON Qualifiers: Eguavoen visits Olympic Eagles at training in Ibadan

    Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Augustine Eguavoen on Monday paid a visit to the camp of the U23 National team as the Olympic Eagles continued their build up ahead the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania.

    The former Super Eagles’ captain and coach was received by the team’s Coordinator, Bashir Badawy at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, as the team as going through series of training sessions under the supervision of Coach Salisu Yusuf and his lieutenants, Kennedy Boboye, Abubakar Bala and goalkeeper’s trainer, Suleiman Shuaibu.

    An excited Eguavoen praised the coaching crew and expressed optimism that the team will soar past Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

    Meanwhile, the Olympic Eagles are expected to depart the shores of Nigeria on Thursday via Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The first leg of the second round AFCON U23 qualifiers is scheduled to take place on 22nd October in Tanzania with the return leg slated for Saturday, 29th October at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

  • I was once suspended for attacking referees -Augustine Eguavoen

    I was once suspended for attacking referees -Augustine Eguavoen

    Super Eagles team manager has revealed that he was once suspended for verbally attacking a referee in his footballing career and he’s vowed not to repeat such mistake .

    He praised his side for putting up a good display against the Black stars of Ghana.

    Eguavoen said that the Super Eagles created more chances than the Ghanaians but couldn’t convert them, saying the team will work on that.

    According to him, the game plan was to win or draw in Kumasi and it happened just like that.

    Fielding questions from pressmen, Eguavoen, said he’s working on a strategy that would give Nigeria victory in the return fixture in Abuja

    When asked on his assessment on the game’s match officials, he said he doesn’t like to comment on referees saying he was once suspended for berating them and would just like to leave them to their fate.

    ”I love to leave those human beings to their fate, i was once suspended for attacking one and i didnt like it” He said

    Asked if there is a problem of goal scoring since the Super Eagles haven’t scored in their last two games, the coach dismissed the fear saying the players are capable of scoring goals.

    The super Eagles versus Black stars of Ghana 2nd leg fixture will take place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

  • Nigeria vs Ghana: What is most important for us – Eguavoen

    Nigeria vs Ghana: What is most important for us – Eguavoen

    Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen has said the most important for the Nigerian national football team at the moment is to get the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup ticket.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Eguavoen made this known as the Super Eagles depart for Kumasi aboard a chartered Air Peace flight to face the Black Stars of Ghana in the World Cup qualifier.

    For Super Eagles players, nothing, not even home support, can stop Nigeria from beating Ghana on Friday to make the second leg a mere formality.

    At a media briefing yesterday in Abuja, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, who will be facing Ghana for the third time in his coaching career, described the Black Stars as familiar foes, who are not so easy to beat, especially at home.

    The Ghanaians played a mind game with the Eagles and did not release their squad list until Monday, but Eguavoen said it has no effect on his team.

    Eguavoen said the Black Stars chose to hold on to their squad list for reasons best known to them, adding that it did not change the way the Eagles prepared for the game.

    On the absence of Wilfred Ndidi, he said, “We wish him quick recovery because he is an important player for us, but his absence will not change anything. We have a couple of players who can play in that position.

    “The philosophy will not change, the style of play will not change. What will change is only the personnel. I am not going to tell you who will take over that position until match day.”

    He said a lot is at stake in the game, adding that the most important thing is to get the World Cup ticket and be in Qatar when the competition kicks off. “We are on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup. We have a lot of quality players to pick from for the game,” he said.

    Eguavoen added: “We are privileged to be representing Nigeria out of more than 200 million people. We are grateful for that and we want to show that we deserve that honour.

    “The squad, the officials and the federation are all working to ensure we qualify for the World Cup.

    “With due respect to Ghana, they are no pushovers. We know they have a strong team, but we are hungrier about the ticket. We will go out there to fight and ensure that we do the job right.”

    The Super Eagles will leave for Kumasi this morning aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, and return with the same aircraft immediately after the match.

  • Samson Siasia faults Super Eagles list for Ghana match

    Samson Siasia faults Super Eagles list for Ghana match

    Ex-international and former Super Eagles gaffer, Samson Siasia has faulted the inclusion of some players on the 30-man list recently released by Augustine Eguavoen for the double header Worldcup playoffs between Nigeria and Ghana.

    New Invitee and Leicester forward Ademola Lookman and Oghenekaro Etebo who has been sidelined for months due to injury were on the list.

    Long term absentee Ogeyi Onazi who hasn’t played for over two years was also included on the list but in the standby category.

    Last week, interim coach Austine Eguavoen released the names of those invited for the two-legged games and placed seven others on standby.

    “For me, it’s not the right decision to bring new players, you are better off with the ones you know already that have been playing together and understand themselves because you have three days to practice before you go to Ghana. So, for me, this is not the right list,”

    “You need to play people that understand themselves. If you bring new ones, it becomes difficult for them to understand themselves and play the partner you want to play .Siasia said.

    On 4 November 2010, he was named as the national team coach to succeed Swedish Lars Lagerbäck. He was fired on 28 October 2011 for failing to qualify the Nigeria team to the 2012 African Nations Cup jointly hosted by Gabon & Equatorial Guinea.

     

     

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles shoot up in latest FIFA ranking

    BREAKING: Super Eagles shoot up in latest FIFA ranking

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved up four places to 32nd position in the latest ranking released by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports FIFA released the latest world football ranking on Thursday morning.

    The three-time African champions are also now the third-best team in Africa behind newly crowned African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, the Terangha Lions and the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

    The West Africans won all three group matches against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau at the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon.

    The Augustine Eguavoen’s side, however, crashed out in the second round after going down to a 1-0 defeat to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

    TNG reports the Super Eagles were ranked 36th and fifth-best team in Africa heading to competition but still moved up in the ranking despite their surprise quick exit in Cameroon.

    Algeria and Tunisia, who were ranked higher than the Super Eagles in the world and on the continent had a dismal campaign at AFCON 2021.

    Algeria exited at the group stage with one draw and two defeats from three games, while Tunisia recorded two wins and two defeats.