Augustine Eguavoen, the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has firmly rejected rumors connecting him to the Super Eagles’ head coaching role amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Eric Chelle’s tenure, according to Soccernet.ng.
On Wednesday, several media outlets speculated that Eguavoen, alongside U-20 coach Ladan Bosso, might be considered as replacements should Chelle fail to guide Nigeria to World Cup qualification.
However, Eguavoen quickly refuted these claims, labeling them as “baseless” and “detrimental” to the team’s progress.
Earlier in 2024, Eguavoen served as the interim head coach of the Super Eagles before Chelle’s appointment in January.
“These unfounded stories are quite painful because I have no clue about their origin,” Eguavoen stated in an official NFF release on Thursday.
“My relationship with Coach Eric Chelle is very positive, and I have no desire to replace him. I am sincerely hoping for his success.”
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The former head coach emphasized the importance of solidarity within Nigerian football, cautioning against divisive rumors that could undermine the team’s concentration ahead of critical matches.
“Similar rumors previously sowed discord between me and former coaches Gernot Rohr and José Peseiro during their respective tenures with the Super Eagles. Such speculation is unnecessary,” he remarked.
“Our collective goal must be to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup and triumph at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.”
Super Eagles Enter Critical World Cup Qualifying Stage
Under Eric Chelle’s guidance, Nigeria is approaching a pivotal juncture in their World Cup qualifying journey, with consecutive matches against Lesotho and Benin poised to shape their destiny.
Currently, the Super Eagles occupy third place in Group C with 11 points, trailing leaders Benin and second-placed South Africa by three points, with only two fixtures remaining.
Only the group winner secures direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, while the runner-up must navigate a challenging mini-league for a chance at Africa’s limited playoff spots.
Nigeria gained an unexpected advantage when FIFA penalized South Africa by deducting three points for fielding an ineligible player in their match against Lesotho. This sanction dropped Bafana Bafana below Benin on goal difference, intensifying the qualification battle.
The competition in Group C remains fiercely contested, with five teams-Nigeria, Benin, South Africa, Rwanda, and Lesotho-all still mathematically capable of finishing in the top two. Zimbabwe is the only team eliminated from contention.
Had South Africa not been penalized, they would have been within striking distance of qualification. Now, they must win their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to keep their hopes alive.
For Nigeria, the path is straightforward: a must-win game against Lesotho on Friday is essential. Failure to secure victory would severely jeopardize their chances ahead of the crucial showdown with Benin, which is increasingly shaping up to be the group decider.
While Lesotho and Rwanda still cling to faint hopes of progression, they require flawless results combined with favorable circumstances to surpass the frontrunners.
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