Former Deputy President of the Sports Writer Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Umar Sa’id, has raised concerns about the technical abilities of former Nigeria international, Austin Eguavoen, to lead the Super Eagles. Sa’id’s remarks come in response to the reported appointment of Eguavoen as the interim manager of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
Eguavoen’s appointment as interim manager came after Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro stepped down last weekend. However, Sa’id, in an interview with Media Talk Africa on Wednesday, suggested that the NFF should consider retaining the coaching staff who worked with Peseiro during the last Nations Cup before appointing a permanent coach.
“I do not support Eguavoen’s appointment, even on a temporary basis. The coaching staff led by Peseiro’s assistant, Finidi George, should be reinstated. I have doubts about what Eguavoen can bring to the team given his past track record,” said Sa’id.
He continued, “I trust that the NFF will seek out a competent coach to lead the team. Our performance at the recent Nations Cup was not due to a lack of talent but rather a lack of technical expertise. Eguavoen’s previous stint with the Super Eagles does not inspire confidence in me.”
While Eguavoen previously served as the NFF’s Technical Director in 2020, he was appointed as the Super Eagles manager on an interim basis for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations following the departure of German coach Gernot Rohr. After the team’s disappointing exit from the AFCON 2021, Eguavoen returned to his role as Technical Director.
Following Peseiro’s departure, reports emerged that Eguavoen had been tasked by the NFF to step in as the interim manager of the Super Eagles. Enyimba International coach, Finidi George, who worked as Peseiro’s assistant during the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, will serve as Eguavoen’s assistant until a permanent manager is appointed for the Super Eagles ahead of upcoming international fixtures, including the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against South Africa in June 2024.
