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Tag: Eguavoen

  • CHAN 2025 Qualifier: Eguavoen upbeat about Super Eagles chances against Ghana [Team list]

    CHAN 2025 Qualifier: Eguavoen upbeat about Super Eagles chances against Ghana [Team list]

    Coach Augustine Eguavoen says he is excited about the response from all the invited players ahead of the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying fixture against Ghana.

    NAN reports that 35 players were invited for the Super Eagles B team 2025 CHAN qualifying fixture against Ghana.

    Eguavoen says he is impressed with the immense quality in the group, adding that he is confident and hopeful of qualifying Nigeria ahead of Ghana.

    He noted that he had a short fall of two players on Wednesday who joined camp on Thursday,  to complete the list of the 35 invited players, following the second training session.

    The coach  said two players from Plateau United also left on Thursday for an assignment with their club, as there was an agreement with all the clubs that the players could be released.

    “We have quite a huge number of players in camp. I visit league venues a lot, and also, we have the assistant coaches, Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede, as well as the goalkeeper coach.

    “So, they saw a whole lot of players in the league, and I saw some as well, and I consulted some coaches whom I haven’t been opportuned to watch their teams play live.

    “All put together. If you compare the list that I had and the ones my assistants gave to me, most of the players are all on the same list.

    “The players have been very impressive. We’ve had only two sessions but you could see that they are very good technically.

    “We still have alot of work to do because they are coming from different clubs and we have to see how we can blend them now and make them play as one team, one unit,” he said.

    He said that there was still enough time to work with the team and select the best players out of the group to face Ghana, come December.

    He noted that the Ghanians are a very tough side to beat, adding, however, that his team would work hard to ensure that they get a positive result.

    “At any category we meet the Ghanaian team, it is always very tough. All we pray is for luck.

    “As for the upcoming game, we will go out there, work hard, and strrategise to make sure we are in the next CHAN,” he said.

    NAN also reports that the first leg of the fixture is billed for the weekend of Dec. 20 to 22, with the return leg expected to be played a week later.

    The overall winner will earn a berth at CHAN 2025 to be co-hosted by Kenya, Morocco and Tanzania.

    The finals are scheduled to be held from Feb. 1 to 28, 2025.

    LIST OF ALL 35 INVITED PLAYERS

    Goalkeepers:

    Ohisodumeya Osagie (Rivers United); Henry Ozomena (Enyimba FC); Mohammed Galadima (Nasarawa United)

    Defenders:

    Wisdom Ndom (Akwa United); Stephen Mayo (Rivers United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers); Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Yusuf Isa (Bayelsa United); Abba Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Kabiru Mohammed (Kwara United); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Abbas Usman (El-Kanemi Warriors);

    Midfielders:

    Innocent Godwin (Abia Warriors); Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Musa Zayad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers); Eze Ekwutoziam (Enyimba FC); Aimufua Aisosa (Kwara United); Tochukwu Michael (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Assurance (Lobi Stars); Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers); Seth Mayi (Sunshine Stars); Stanley Oganbor (Lobi Stars); Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance); Toyeeb Gidado (Ikorodu City)

    Forwards:

    Samuel Ayorinde (Shooting Stars); Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Abdul Sanusi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Abubakar Adamu (Plateau United); Rabiu Zikifilu (Kano Pillars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Michael Enaruma (Bendel Insurance).

  • Morocco 2025: Eguavoen targets double over Libya

    Morocco 2025: Eguavoen targets double over Libya

    The Super Eagles Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen has set a target of maximum six points from this month’s double header against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in a group D match of the Morocco 2025  Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nigeria hosts the first game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday evening, with the return at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, Libya’s second city Benghazi, on Wednesday night.

    “We have to be practical about it: our best and surest route to the finals will be to pick up the six points in the matches with Libya.

    “We will be somewhat guaranteed a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5. We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in in this qualifying campaign.

    “I admit we will miss Victor Osimhen, but I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo, and the three points in Libya,“he said.

    NAN reports that the 23 invited players trained in Uyo on Tuesday evening, with defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke arriving on Wednesday morning.

    Nigeria has four points from their two matches so far, one point ahead of Benin Republic and two ahead of Rwanda. The Eagles will go to 10 points with a double win over Libya.

    Victories for Benin Republic in both matches will take them to nine points, still short of Nigeria’s probable tally of 10, but Rwanda will remain stuck at two and Libya one.

    With only two matches left in the campaign, wins for Rwanda will leave Benin Republic stuck at three points and Rwanda at eight.

    “There are possibilities and opportunities for us to sail home at the end of these two matches, and we will do our best to take our chances and have the ticket,” Eguavoen said.

    The delegation of Libya’s Mediterranean Knights landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport around noon on Tuesday, before moving to Uyo by road.

    Malawian referee Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, who will be at the centre during Friday’s encounter, alongside the other match officials, are already in Uyo.

    The Confederation of African Football has also appointed Nkhakananga’s compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti as assistant referees 1 and 2 respectively, while Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa will serve as fourth official.

    Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha will be in charge of the Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina.

    He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

    Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be the commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

    At the back end of a doubleheader between both nations, Tuesday’s encounter will kick off at 9 pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).

  • Reports of me quitting Super Eagles job is false – Eguavoen

    Reports of me quitting Super Eagles job is false – Eguavoen

    Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has dismissed rumours making the rounds that he has quit his role, following Tuesday’s barren draw against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali.

    The rumours of Eguavoen’s resignation started making the rounds, following his post-match reaction in Kigali.

    This was after Super Eagles 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) matchday two qualifying match against Rwanda, which ended 0-0 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

    However, Eguavoen, who spoke to newsmen after the team touched down in Abuja, debunked the rumours as false and misleading, saying that he was misquoted.

    He 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.

    “It is quite unfortunate that people would just trigger something that is not correct, and at the situation that we are in now, we don’t need negative stories.

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

    “But, when I saw that story, I was kind of really worried and concerned. Whatever people are reading out there is not correct, and I am still very much in charge.

    “I am the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of the Super Eagles at this moment, and that’s where we are,” he said.

    The Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.

  • Austin Eguavoen quits as Super Eagles interim coach

    Austin Eguavoen quits as Super Eagles interim coach

    Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen as quit his role from the Nigeria national team.

    According to OwnGoalNigeria, Eguavoen said his assignment was limited to two matches.

    Eguavoen is stepping down after the match against Rwanda in Kigali, on Tuesday.

    He said, “I have been given a mandate to handle two games. I will want to say I am very pleased with the boys and again, thanks to the NFF leadership and all the boys who supported me in terms of discipline and working hard.

    “It ends today, which is the two games mandate. I can’t talk about Libya, because I haven’t been told but I can talk about it a little bit in case we have another coach, we can talk about it.”

    Eguavoen was appointed by the technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following unsuccessful efforts to secure a permanent head coach for the national team.

    He oversaw two qualifying matches for the 2025 AFCON against the Benin Republic and Rwanda.

  • AFCON 2025: Eguavoen talks about ‘momentum’ as Eagles land in Kigali

    AFCON 2025: Eguavoen talks about ‘momentum’ as Eagles land in Kigali

    Coach Augustine Eguavoen says his squad “is on a momentum” as they prepare for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

    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.”

    NAN also reports that the Amavubi of Rwanda forced Libya’s Mediterranean Knights to a 1-1 draw in Tripoli in their own Matchday 1 encounter.

    Tuesday’s match will kick off at 3 p.m. Rwanda time (2pm Nigeria time).

  • Morocco 2025: Ilechukwu, 4 others to assist Eguavoen for Benin, Rwanda

    Morocco 2025: Ilechukwu, 4 others to assist Eguavoen for Benin, Rwanda

    Interim Super Eagles manager, Augustine Eguavoen has selected Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede to assist him for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

    Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday in a statement,  said Enugu Rangers’ head coach, Ilechukwu and Ogunmodede of Remo Stars would assist Eguavoen for the two matches.

    “Ilechukwu led the Flying Antelopes to triumph in Nigeria’s elite division last season, with Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars in second place.

    “They will be joined in Uyo by Tomaz Zorec, a fitness trainer from Slovenia, goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa and match analyst, Eboboritse Uwejamomere,” Olajire said.

    He said that players and officials of the three-time African champions are  expected in Uyo on Monday to begin  preparations for Saturday’s clash with the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, from 5 p.m.

    Olajire  said  that the team would leave  for Kigali on Sunday, for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi (Bees) of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium, starting from 3 p.m. Rwanda time (2 p.m. Nigeria time).

  • Long-term contract necessary for new Super Eagles coach – Eguavoen

    Long-term contract necessary for new Super Eagles coach – Eguavoen

    Augustine Eguavoen, former Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser/Interim Coach, on Friday in Abuja called for a long-term contract for whoever will be the team’s new chief coach.

    Eguavoen told NAN that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) needs to do this to ensure the new coach gets the Super Eagles to fly high again.

    “I will just say anybody coming in should be given a long-term contract, just like a long-time project,” he said on the sidelines of the presentation of Certificates of Occupancy of houses to members of the victorious Super Eagles team which won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.

    Eguavoen said it was going to be difficult to lead the team to success without having a long time to prepare it.

    But he noted that the new coach would still have to rely on the present crop of players.

    “You can’t just raise a new team. It’s always going to be difficult. Any coach that is coming in now will still work with 90 per cent of these players we have now,” the former Super Eagles full-back said.

    Eguavoen who apologised for his inability to lead the Super Eagles to qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup said the team he handled was still a good side.

    “First of all I will like to apologise for our inability to qualify for the World Cup. It’s very painful that we didn’t qualify and I know how much we love football in this country.

    “But we didn’t lose the game. We only lost the ticket, and the fact that it’s a World Cup ticket makes it more painful.”

    He said the fact that lack of time did not allow him to impose his football philosophy on the team was partly responsible for the failure to pick the World Cup ticket.

    “I think we didn’t have enough time. If we had enough time to bring in new players and see them in friendly games and the coach is able to establish his DNA, I think it would have been better. But we need to move on,” the coach added.

    Eguavoen, who is still the NFF Technical Director said all attention should now be on getting a new coach who would ensure qualification for the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Already, 46 countries including Nigeria have lined up to compete in the group stage of the 2023 AFCON qualifying competition which begins in June.

    The NFF Executive Committee had on Tuesday mandated the federation’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee to “within the next five days” recommend a new coaching crew for the Super Eagles.

  • Nigeria v Ghana: I am not under pressure, says Eguavoen

    Nigeria v Ghana: I am not under pressure, says Eguavoen

    Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen says he is not under pressure in their return match against the Black Stars in the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs on Tuesday.

    Eguavoen told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that he was rather motivated to achieve success knowing all Nigerians collectively want Nigeria to be in Qatar for the World Cup.

    “Our expectations as Nigeria are high, that is something I know all too well. But I am not under pressure because all of us have a responsibility regarding this match.

    “And that is why I will urge all football lovers, fans, supporters clubs to come out in their numbers to support the Super Eagles on Tuesday.

    “At the end of the day, every one will be happy. We should all keep the support high, and we pray that at the end of the day every body will be happy,” he said.

    Nigeria will take on Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja in a winner-take-all match.

    Eguavoen assured that his team would definitely improve on their performance of Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, where the Super Eagles drew goalless with the Ghanaian side.

    “Our game will count on Tuesday, and we will make Nigerians proud,” he said.

    The coach also assured that the Super Eagles were in good shape as at some minutes before their evening workout.

    “Everyone is good to go. As for Innocent Bonke and Samuel Chukwueze, we will know where we are by late this (Friday) evening. But, as for the rest, all are in prime condition.

    “The boys are all ready, knowing what is at stake and knowing that it is all or nothing for us at this stage,” he said.

    Eguavoen assured that the team was going to take their goalscoring chances as they came their way, and better than they did in Kumasi on Friday.

    “The focus now is to score goals, because the opportunity is always rare. You take them when you have them,” he said.

    Speaking also, wing forward Moses Simon said he and his teammates would do their best to make Nigerians happy at the end of the match.

    “It is not going to be about me but all about the team, and we will give whatever it takes. We will give everything on Tuesday,” he said.

    “We all know what they will come here with, and we are ready to take the match,” he added.

    The return match on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium will get underway by 6 p.m with the winners over two legs to advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals.

  • Amuneke will add more quality to Super Eagles’ coaching – Eguavoen

    Amuneke will add more quality to Super Eagles’ coaching – Eguavoen

    Super Eagles’ Interim Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen, says the appointment of former teammate Emmanuel Amuneke to assist him at the senior national team is “a very good development”.

    Eguavoen disclosed in Ilorin on Wednesday that the coming of Amuneke would be a great addition to the quality of the team’s coaching.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had on Monday announced slight changes to the composition of the Eagles’ technical crew.

    While Eguavoen is to continue on as head of the crew, Amuneke was added to the team, just as former national under-20 team coach Paul Aigbogun was dropped.

    Amuneke is to work as the Chief Coach and Eguavoen’s First Assistant, with Salisu Yusuf as Second Assistant/Chief Coach of the CHAN Super Eagles.

    Joseph Yobo is the Third Assistant, while Aloysius Agu is the Goalkeepers’ Trainer.

    “He (Amuneke) is my younger brother and we have worked together for so long. I think his coming into the team will add a lot of value also,” Eguavoen, who led the Super Eagles to a round of 16 finish at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon said.

    The coach also said any Nigerian playing in any of the national league competitions in the country can get a chance to play for the national team.

    “Once we get information on a player, I will go round to watch him. And not just me, a couple of my colleagues are also watching.

    “That gives the home-based players a lot of hope and thinking that they will get a chance one day to play in the Super Eagles,” he said.

    Already, Eguavoen who is also the NFF Technical Director has been going round to ensure this happens.

    He was in Ilorin on Sunday to watch Kwara United against Lobi Stars in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 11 encounter.

    The former Super Eagles right full-back added however that he was not the only national coach or NFF official monitoring the league.

    “There are other colleagues who are also doing same across the country,” he said.

    The coach also rated the NPFL very high, adding that the officiating in the 2021/2022 competition has also been good so far.

    “I have seen about two or three games, and the standard is high and officiating is good.”

    NAN

  • Give Eguavoen Super Eagles job – Izilein

    Give Eguavoen Super Eagles job – Izilein

    Godwin Izilein, former coach of the Super Falcons, has said that Augustine Eguavoen should be given the chance of first refusal as the coach of the Super Eagles.

    Izilein, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday, said Eguavoen deserved the job.

    He said that his performance shocked, impacted and impressed everybody at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

    The former chief handler of the senior female national team noted that Eguavoen was able to change the interest of the players and harnessed them into one entity.

    Izilein stressed that the ex-Eagles player shocked his critics and was able to achieve the feat with the Super Eagles in Cameroon in spite of the time factor.

    “This is the only way to pay him back. If he is willing to accept the job, give it to him; he will get the support of all the indigenous coaches.

    “Giving him the position will motivate others that there is chance for the indigenous coaches.

    “Eguavoen has reawakened the cradle of performance that the Eagles were known for; this was what placed us fifth in the world years ago,“ he said.

    He said that what the team needed now was to be kept the players together for a longer period.

    NAN reports that the Eagles lost 0-1 to Tunisia in the round of 16 in the ongoing AFCON tournament in Cameroon after a 100 per cent record in the group stage.