The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Austin Eguavoen

  • Eguavoen, Emenike predict Super Eagles’ AFCON chances

    Eguavoen, Emenike predict Super Eagles’ AFCON chances

    Nigeria Football Federation Head of Technical Department, Austin Eguavoen has disclosed that in as much as the Super Eagles qualify for any major tournament, they will always be among the teams to beat.

    Eguavoen disclosed that Super Eagles pedigree and the current form of its players in Europe make it difficult to overlook Nigeria and that he is optimistic about the chances of the team in Morocco later in the year at the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco.

    The e former Super Eagles’ captain and coach, however, noted that Nigeria must be wary of their opponents in Group C if they want to progress in the competition.

     “On paper, Super Eagles look very good in Group C. The AFCON draw is okay for Nigeria on paper. The team must prove it on the field,” Eguavoen disclosed. “Nothing is easy, especially in the world of sports, football to be precise. If you don’t prepare very well, you will get a shocking defeat.

     “If you want to be champion, you should be ready to play any team and win. No more minors in football.

    “Personally, i am happy with the AFCON draw, the players, the Federation are equally happy.

    Read Also: NFF to name Super  Eagles’ coaching crew at Chelle’s unveiling today 

    “It is up to us to plan very well, prepare very well for and do the job by taking it game after game,” he said.

    In a related development, former striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has backed newly coach Eric Chelle to turn  the Super Eagles around.

     Emenike, a 2013 AFCON winner, believes that Chelle has what it takes to succeed with Nigeria, adding the Franco-Malian is condemned  to prove his mettle.

    “I think he (Chelle) will do well because he has a lot of things to prove. They left a lot of local coaches to employ him. I believe he has so much and a lot to offer the country,”  Emenike  who scored nine goals for the Super Eagles , said.

    He also stated that Chelle has a lot of good and game-winning players in the squad who will go on to make things easier for him.

     “We have a lot of players who can win games. Osimhen can win games, he’s a fighter. We have Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and many more in the team who can win games. I believe that with a little bit of hard work and if they can tell themselves the truth, they can go far.”

    Speaking on Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Emenike said the possibility of qualifying is 50-50.

     “I will go 50-50 for that. We’re in a very shaky situation,” the Fenerbahce legend said.

  • Benin won’t be pushovers, says Eguavoen

    Benin won’t be pushovers, says Eguavoen

    • By Johnny Edward

    Super Eagles caretaker coach, Austin Eguavoen, has acknowledged that Benin Republic will be a tough opponent, thanks to the tactical insight of their head coach, Gernot Rohr, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier  today  at the Stade Félix-Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

    Eguavoen said Rohr’s deep knowledge of Nigerian football would make the Cheetahs a formidable challenge in their matchday five encounter.

    Read Also: Alao-Akala’s son donates sporting materials to football clubs, Ogbomoso FA

    The Super Eagles need at least a draw to secure qualification for next year’s AFCON, while Benin Republic is under pressure to win in order to stay ahead of their closest rivals, Rwanda, who will be hosting Libya.

    Speaking  at his press conference , Eguavoen said: “Gernot Rohr has been with us for so many years—he was our head coach, and he’s a very good coach, no doubt.

    “He knows us inside out, and he’s part of us. And we also know him well. We know what he’s capable of.”

    He added: “Our mind-set going into every game is to win. But that’s easier said than done. We fight for every goal, we fight for every point, and that’s exactly what we plan to do tomorrow (today).”

    On Benin’s strength, Eguavoen noted, “Benin is not a pushover, but we will work hard to ensure we achieve our objective.”

    The Eagles lead Group D with 10 points from four matches, scoring seven goals and conceding none.

  • Eguavoen  set to release Eagles’ list  for Benin, Rwanda  

    Eguavoen  set to release Eagles’ list  for Benin, Rwanda  

     Interim Super  Eagles coach  Austin Eguavoen  is expected to release the list of players  expected to prosecute  the remaining   two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  qualifiers  against  Benin  and Rwanda  today  all things being equal.  

    Nigeria sit on top of Group D with  10 points  and will  first tackle  neighbouring  Benin  in Abidjan  on November 14  and will  complete their qualifying campaign  against Rwanda  in Uyo on November 18.

    With the game against  Benin holding at the  Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium , the Super Eagles  must  be at their best  to avoid  defeat  from  the scene of their 2023  AFCON Final  loss to Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire  as well as  the World Cup 26 qualifier loss to The Cheetahs  last June.

    “The Super Eagles  will camp  in Abidjan for the match against Benin,”  an official privy to the arrangements  told NationSports.“ The  list for the match is likely to be out on Tuesday.”

    Read Also:  Mid-term scorecard: More knocks than kudos for Gusau-led NFF 

    Our correspondent  further gathered that  a chartered  flight  would pick  up the Super Eagles in Abidjan on the morning of  November 15  ‘and fly them to Uyo’  for the home game against  the Wasps of Rwanda.

    Benin being coached  by former Super eagles trainer, Gernot Rohr, are  in second position behind Nigeria with six points  while Rwanda are third  with five points . Libya  are fourth on the log with  a solitary point.

    The North African side were recently  sanctioned  and duck  three points  following the maltreatment of the Super Eagles  in that botched Match Day Four encounter.  

  • Sports sector reforms: Work intensifies on Ogbemudia Stadium revamp

    The Edo State government has intensified work on the revamp of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to meet international standard as part of the overall reform of the sports sector in the state.

    According to the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the walls are being reinforced with concrete pillars and all the roads and drainage system in the area hosting the stadium are undergoing reconstruction.

    “Edo people deserve a world class stadium. Our contribution to sports globally is common knowledge both in the number and quality of athletes Edo State has produced for the world stage. We also want to provide standard playing fields for our young ones whose turn it is to replicate the success stories of yesteryear,” Obaseki said.

    He maintained that “sport is a huge industry with allied businesses that can take most of our idle youths away from the streets. We want to produce more Victor Moses, Julius Aghahowa, Austin Eguavoen, Osazee Odemwingie and Odion Ighalo.”

    He said part of the reforms of the state’s sports sector includes the rebranding of Bendel Insurance and the club’s restructuring to ensure that the club can overcome funding, administrative and other challenges.

    The 20 mini-stadia that will be spread across the state will serve as talent grooming and skills honing ground for youths in the 18 local government areas.

    On completion, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium’s tartan tracks and the offices will be modernised while the synthetic grass in the pitch would be replaced with natural grass. The gymnasium and the lawn tennis courts would also be upgraded to international standard.

    There will be a roof over the entire stand of the stadium. The trusses that will support the roof are being erected already.

    The swimming pool is part of the project but it will be done in the second phase. The entire renovation work will be completed by October.

    Bendel Insurance of Benin will now play its home matches at the University of Benin football field as a result.

  • Eguavoen wants two formations for Poland, Serbia

     

    As Super Eagles file out in a matter of hours against Poland in an international friendly as part of the build up to the Russia 2018, former coach of the team Austin Eguavoen says it will be more productive to use different formation against Poland and Serbia.

    The approach according to him will offer the technical crew ample opportunity to see which formation brings out the best blend and projects the best flow. The former Eagles captain revealed that he is not focusing on seeing the team emerge victorious at the friendly matches but more concerned with the blend, the level of understanding among players and the flow of the game all of which will be needed when the battle of supremacy begins in Russia in June.

    “I am not the coach and I am sure he knows what he is looking at and hopes to achieve with the friendly games, but in my own opinion it will be better to resist the temptation to use the same formation against Poland and Serbia. I will rather go for two different formations to enable you properly see which formation brings out the needed flow and blend that you will require in Russia. I am not too particular about result, even if you don’t win when you play well you will know,”  said Eguavoen a.k.a Cerezo

    While team captain John Obi Mikel, Junior Ajayi and oghenekaro etebo are expected to miss tonight’s match billed for the Muncipal Stadium Wroclaw, the trio will be available for the tie against Serbia Tuesday in London which implies the technical crew will have the full complement  of entire crop of players penciled down for the World cup.

    Most soccer fans who bared their minds ahead of the friendlies say a win against Poland tonight will ginger the team going into the second friendly against Serbia and serve as general morale booster.

    Other matches on the bill board before the Eagles storm Russia are ties against Czech Republic and England. Eagles’ world cup opponents Argentina are also locked in a friendly tonight against Italy who unfortunately will be missing the world cup for the first time since in 60 years. Croatia who will be Nigeria’s first hurdle in Russia are equally shaping up with friendly matches against Peru and Mexico respectively with Iceland also facing Mexico to tidy up loose ends.

    Poland are 6th on current FIFA ranking while Nigeria are 52 on the log.

  • Eguaveon’s resignation a product of a corrupt system, say Odegbami, others

    Eguaveon’s resignation a product of a corrupt system, say Odegbami, others

    Football enthusiasts have blamed Austin Eguaveon’s resignation as the coach of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure on the corruption that has eaten deep into football.

    `Mathematical’ Segun Odegbami, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the situation was sad.

    “It’s a psychological thing, this has been an issue for a very long time and nothing has been done.

    “I don’t know if anything can be done in this regard because it seems nothing has been done to make our referees better.

    “It’s like corruption in this country it has eaten deep into the system, in fact that’s what is wrong with our football.

    ” It is the same set of people that have been there that are still there so you don’t expect much from them, ” he said.

    Dosu Joseph, a former Super Eagles number one goalkeeper said that it was quite unfortunate, that for Eguaveon to resign after two matches and spoke volumes of the state of football in the country.

    ” The truth is at times human error comes into play but when it becomes consistent it shows something is wrong.

    ” For him to resign after two matches to me shows that he knows what he is doing and since he saw that he could not cope he did the needful.

    “It takes guts for him to do that ; it’s unfortunate that he resigned Sunshine has lost a good coach, ” Joseph said.

    Also sharing same view was Nduka Ugbade, he told NAN that there could be more to it.

    “I’m yet to call him, but there is more to it, that’s my assumption, Austin is a coach that knows his worth.

    ” It’s so unfortunate that things ended like this for Sunshine, they really needed his experience, ” he said.

    However, Wahidi Akanni, a board member of the Lagos State Football Association, said Eguaveon’s resignation due to referee’s conduct was not enough reason for his resignation.

    “The truth is our referees need reorientation but the truth is, it’s not enough for Eguaveon to resign that’s my take.

    “He should present his evidence to the relevant authorities, this is not to justify anything but the truth is officiating in the NPFL needs serious upgrade,” he said.

    NAN reports that Eguavoen left his post as the Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars after the Week 23 match against Plateau United.

    Sunshine Stars played five games with the former Nigerian Coach in charge, winning two and losing three.

    The club defeated Rangers International of Enugu 2-0, lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars of Makurdi, defeated Enyimba International of Aba 1-0 and also lost 0-1 to 3SC of Ibadan and 1-2 to Plateau United of Jos. (NAN)

  • NPFL: ODSFA inaugurates seven-man technical committee

    The Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) on Tuesday inaugurated a new technical committee for Sunshine Stars to ensure a better outing in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

    Speaking at the event in Akure, Chairman of ODSFA Interim Management Committee, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said members of the technical committee were carefully selected based on their proven track records and knowledge of the game.

    “We thank God for the journey so far and we appreciate the support we have received from the football family and the entire soccer loving people of the state.

    “Members of the technical committee are people with great knowledge of the game and we hope they will use their wealth of experience to take our darling team, Sunshine Stars to the next level,’’ he said.

    Responding, the Vice Chairman of the technical committee, Mr Steve Alabi said that members would work closely with the team’s technical crew led by Austin Eguavoen to achieve the desired results, describing the choice of Eguavoen as ‘perfect’.

    “We know what is at stake and we are ready to face the challenges, a great call to serve and by the grace of God and the support of all football stakeholders, we shall reach the promise land,” he said.

    ODSFA’s Technical Director, Sunday Erelesusi urged members of the technical committee to do their best for the team.

    The Technical Committee members include; Prince Tunde Ogunja as Chairman, while Chief Oyewole Ajidagba serves as Secretary and Mr Steve Alabi is the Vice Chairman.

    Other members of the committee are: Mr Dele Ogungbemi, Mr Fidelis Fabidun, Mr Yomi Ifabumuyi, and Mr Ayodele Clement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sunshine Stars have 24 points from 19 matches in the current soccer season in Nigeria.

  • Eguavoen to be Named as New Head Coach for Sunshine Stars

    Eguavoen to be Named as New Head Coach for Sunshine Stars

    Source revealed that Sunshine Stars has made contact with former Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen about replacing Kayode Olujohungbe as the club’s head coach.

    As gathered the former national; team coach is in Akure, Ondo state capital to finalise his appointment as coach of Sunshine state football team,

    Eguavoen, who led the Nigerian Professional Football League U-17 All Star team to the Guateng Future Champions tourney in South Africa where the team finished second behind Atletico Madrid’s U-17s, was spotted in the stands in Nnewi last Sunday when Sunshine Stars lost 2-1 to FC IfeanyiUbah in an NPFL clash.

    Olujohungbe was handed a two-game ultimatum by the club management to turn things around but he lost 2-1 to FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi and will get sacked if he fails to record a win against Remo Stars on Sunday at the Akure Township Stadium.

    Olujohungbe has managed to record five wins so far this season with Sunshine Stars who are currently placed 18th in the NPFL table with 18 points from 16 games.

    Sources also indicated that Eguavoen may even be willing to accept a short-term role with the Owena Whales until the end of the season, with the option to walk away if he is unable to keep them up.
  • World Cup qualifiers: We are now in better position to beat Cameroon – Eguavoen

    World Cup qualifiers: We are now in better position to beat Cameroon – Eguavoen

     

    Former Super Eagles Coach Austin Eguavoen, has  said that the Eagles are now in a better position to beat the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, the current African champions, in their World Cup qualifiers in August.

    Like Eguavoen, another ex-player of the Super Eagles, Edema Fuludu, shared similar opinion, when they spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday.

    The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Sunday defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt 2-1 to record its fifth AFCON title, after triumphs in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002.

    The victory, however, seemed to pose a nightmare to soccer fans as the Eagles would confront the Lions in a double-header, for Russia 2018 qualifiers in August.

    Currently Nigeria is leading Cameroon with four points.

    Both ex-internationals said the Lions, being the African champions, would make the Nigeria national team to be better prepared for the August clash.

    Eguavoen said he remained upbeat about Eagles chances in the August clash in spite of Cameroon’s emergence as African champion, adding that Nigerians have nothing to worry about.

    He, however, said that he was not surprised at the victory of the Indomitable Lions that lifted the AFCON trophy in Gabon.

    “The victory will give them serious boost no doubt, but it will also make our players not to relax, but be better prepared for the August match.

    “Cameroon will be coming here with all their arsenals, including those who didn’t participate in Gabon, but we have a good team with a blend of young and experienced players that will beat the African champion.

    “The worst case scenario is for us to beat them here and get an away draw, ” Eguavoen said.

    On his part, Fuludu, who said no doubt that the Lions are a good team, stressed that the Eagles were capable of getting a good result from them.

    According to him, “It would have been better that the match is played next month as Cameroon will still be basking in the euphoria of the AFCON victory to take us for granted.

    “But this notwithstanding, we still have time to prepare and we will be better prepared now that our opponent are champions of Africa.

    “We have the players and experienced coaching crew to get a better result from the matches; both home and away with Cameroon.’’

    NAN reports that the Super Eagles top the group with six points, followed by Cameroon with two points from two matches.

  • Players’ agents bribed coaches for national team spots – Amokachie

    Players’ agents bribed coaches for national team spots – Amokachie

    Former Super Eagles captain, Daniel Amokachi, has said the practice of local coaches being bribed to invite players onto the country’s national teams is endemic.

    Despite none being found guilty of the accusation, there have long been suspicions it happens in Nigeria.

    “Agents always come to give money for their players to be invited to camp,” said Amokachi. “Does it have to be so?”

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asked Amokachi to produce evidence to support his claims.

    The 43-year-old, who won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Eagles in 1994, said it is time people speak up about an issue that has long bedevilled the Nigerian game.

    “We know this thing has been going on for a while but we have to voice it,” the current manager of Finnish second tier side, JS Hercules, told BBC Sport.

    Amokachi also worked as assistant to former Super Eagles coaches – late Stephen Keshi (2011-15), late Shaibu Amodu (2008-10) and Austin Eguavoen (2005-2007).

    He said that all three used to complain about the practice.

    “Every time Amodu would tell me: ‘Can you listen to these useless agents that are calling me? They want to give me $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000 to bring their players in.”

    “But he’s a man of integrity and wouldn’t take it. I worked with Keshi and it was the same scenario. With Eguavoen, it was the same.

    “If these three names mentioned had not had integrity, definitely they would have fallen victim,” he added.