Nigeria’s stand-in coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has described the Super Eagles’ performance in Monday night’s 2-1 defeat to the Amavubi of Rwanda in the final Group D match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Uyo as a very sad outcome, Completesports.com reports.
Eguavoen’s disappointment was apparent as he addressed the post-match press conference.
“Below standard,” Eguavoen lamented. “And I feel very sad.
“This result was not what we planned for. We scored and were pushing for a second goal, but, quite against the run of play, we conceded. I tried to change the formation, but it didn’t work.”
Also Read: ‘Proud We Beat Super Eagles, But Sad We Missed 2025 AFCON’ —Rwanda Coach Spittler
The Super Eagles manager acknowledged that sometimes such unexpected results are part of football.
Super Eagles 1 – 2 Amavubi
He added: “These things happen on certain days, and today was one of those days. When we conceded the second goal, I made changes by introducing two strikers, yet it still didn’t work.”
Eguavoen also reflected on his tactical changes during the previous game against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Ivory Coast, which yielded similar disappointing results.
Asked if he would adopt the same approach in next year’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, should he remain in charge, Eguavoen maintained confidence in the Super Eagles’ current squad.
“We keep trying; football is all about winning, losing, or drawing. But I believe we have a good squad, a very strong one,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen for us today. I still believe in this team. It has character and a strong mentality.
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“Like I said earlier, we conceded against the run of play, and then, late in the game, we conceded again. At that point, it became very difficult to recover.”
On Boniface and Iheanacho’s Form
Eguavoen addressed concerns over the performances of Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, and Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, both of whom struggled to make an impact during the match.
“Boniface is a top-class player. We’ve seen him prove that time and again for his Bundesliga club. We’ve been giving him opportunities, including trying him in different roles. He remains an integral part of the national team,” Eguavoen remarked.
“As for Kelechi Iheanacho, he needs confidence. He’s been affected by criticism, but I’ve continued to support and talk to him.”
By Sab Osuji, in Uyo
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COMMENTS
You were warned not to field a weaker team, but would you listen? If you were a reasonable coach, you would have aimed for maximum points, knowing that the Libyan debacle is still up. As it is now, our qualification is not certain yet. Suppose CAS orders a replay. Are we sure of beating Libya? Daft.
Boss grow balls and bench this players. Don’t come and make excuses for them
It is true. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Read this again:
“We keep trying; football is all about winning, losing, or drawing. BUT I BELIEVE WE HAVE A GOOD SQUAD, A VERY STRONG ONE,” he said. Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen for us today. I STILL BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM. It has character and a strong mentality.”
A squad that never defeated Rwanda that are 90 places below Nigeria in FIFA rankings OVER TWO LEGS, is still believed in by this “coach”. Lol.
So, this is the team that will rescue our world cup qualifiers campaign if Eguavoen stays. Haba! He is still unrepentant. Shame!