Interim Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, says that he can decide to play any formation with the calibre of players at his disposal and still beat any team.
Eguavoen made this assertion after Super Eagles defeated the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 3-0 in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo on Saturday.
Reacting after the game, Eguavoen told journalists the post-match conference that the Super Eagles always raise the standard of their game when much is not expected from them.
Read Also: AFCON 2025Q: How Super Eagles Rated In Win Against Against Benin Republic
“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,” Eguavoen said.
“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.”
By Augustine Akhilomen
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
8 Comments
Your statement is reckless, coach. You don’t have a dynamic pool of players that will fit into the mould of Guardiola-type of in-game rejigging. You for play your total football formation today na because you don’t want to give Peserio his flowers for helping you ditch your cast-in-stone playing pattern. I dare you to change formation against Rwanda next Tuesday!
I doubt Eguavoen will return to 4-2-4 formation anytime soon. I liked what I saw: a defensive formation with an offensive orientation. Wow! We didn’t just sit too deep like in the Afcon final. Our wingbacks pushed higher up the pitch and we took the fight to Benin to pin them to their own half.
Eguavoen does bring a reasonable level of discipline to bear. He just struggles to sustain that discipline long term.
Let’s hope he continues have a clear vision and with consistent application (win or lose).
This win is big deal; even Benin Republic rarely lose by 3 goals margin. You have to go back a long time to find when this happened to Benin.
So Eguavoen’s win against Gernot Rohr’s Benin was an undeniable tactical masterclass in how to subvert an outwardly looking defensive formation to be more offensive.
I hear you sir. Hope you will say same when his masterclass tactic begins to wobble and fumble against more solid teams.
The formation is only information – Eguavoen.
The man don win now, e don begin wind mouth. Hehehehe!
Seriously though, this is a great result. Benin have been doing well recently, including impressive draws against CIV and Senegal. So well done to Egu for this result. Well done indeed!
The thing about Egu is that he is capable of good results sometimes. Recall that he led Nigeria to a famous 5-2 win over Algeria in their backyard in 2005. That’s still the worst defeat the Fennecs have suffered at home till date.
Also recall his exploits at the 2019 Afcon, winning all group games, including a very handsome win against Egypt. So yes, he can produce sometimes.
The question is, can he keep this up? Can he produce consistently?
By this, the expectation IS NOT that he should win every game. But minimum standards need to be adhered to. Winnable games should be won. Results should be consistent.
If he gets us another win against Rwanda, then it would make all kinds of sense for him to continue!
However, the days will come when we will be up against teams tinkered by elite coaches.
Today, I watched Jesse Marsch lead Canada to a 2-1 win over the USA. Eguavoen must be ready to compete with and outmaneuver coaches like this.
It’s a journey, and Egu has started well.
Just a suggestion. Why not pair Osimhen and Boniface in the attack, and allow Lookman to play in the hole behind them in a free role? Then Bruno and Aina can push up to provide width.
Was in charge when Nigeria beat Algetia away? I thought it’s Shaibu Amodu
It was Eguavoen.
Many believe that was his best ever match as SE coach.
No it was Eguaveon that was in charge for that game against Algeria.I remember that match very well.It was played on Sunday evening.8:00pm precisely with Obafemi Martins giving Nigeria a 1-0 lead away from home in the 20minute.John Utaka nodded down to make it 0-2 before the break and Wilson Oruma was in terrific form in the midfield along with Christian Obodo and Yusuf Ayila.
Great game of football as Nigeria walloped Algeria 2-5 at home.
Lets call a spade a spade. Eguavon plays good football. He is fearless in terms of attacking and high pressing. Also he likes to dominate
. In all the games he has lost he always dominate . I think his problem is lack of that necessary luck. U can see he plays same 3:4;3 that Paseiro introduced at the AFCON but with a more adventurous tendency with makes the difference. If we had played played this way against CIV there is no way we will have lost that final. So like I said Egu should see the face of God for that extra grace to win when at it really matters most.