Super Eagles Midfielder Urges NFF to Retain Eguavoen Amid Quit Rumors
Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to retain Austin Eguavoen as the head coach of the national team amid ongoing speculation about his future.
Eguavoen, who was appointed by the NFF to oversee Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches against Benin and Rwanda, has recently come under scrutiny due to rumors that he might step down. However, the 1994 AFCON winner has denied these reports, insisting he remains committed to his role.
Despite limited preparation time with the team, Eguavoen managed to guide the Super Eagles to a decisive victory against Benin, a team that had previously beaten Nigeria in June. He also secured a draw against Rwanda, putting the three-time African champions in a strong position to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. Nigeria currently sits atop Group D with four points, while Benin trails in second place with three points following their win over Libya.
Ogu took to social media to advocate for Eguavoen’s retention, urging the NFF to give the coach more time to build and develop the team. “Dear @thenff, Please keep coach @coacheguavoen. Give him time to keep building the team moving forward,” Ogu tweeted.
The Super Eagles are set to face Libya in back-to-back qualification matches in October 2024. Before these crucial encounters, the NFF is expected to make a final decision on Eguavoen’s status as head coach.
With the qualification campaign for the 2025 AFCON intensifying, Ogu’s appeal highlights the growing support within the team for Eguavoen to continue in his role, aiming to maintain the momentum the Super Eagles have built under his leadership.