Eguavoen Dismisses Rumours Of Interest in Super Eagles Job

Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, has strongly denied reports linking him with the position of Super Eagles head coach, describing the claims as “baseless” and “hurtful.”

The reports, which circulated in some sections of the media on Wednesday, suggested that Eguavoen and Ladan Bosso were being considered to replace current coach Eric Chelle if the team fails to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

In a statement released by the NFF Communications Department, Eguavoen expressed disappointment over the rumours, insisting that he has a cordial working relationship with Chelle and has no plans to take over the role.

“I feel very hurt by these baseless rumours because I really have no idea where they are coming from,” Eguavoen said. “I have a very good working relationship with Coach Eric Chelle, and I have absolutely no interest in taking over the squad. I am praying for him to succeed.”

The former Super Eagles coach also cautioned against attempts to create division within the national team’s management, recalling similar incidents during the tenures of Gernot Rohr and José Peseiro.

“This was how the same speculators created schism and disaffection between me and Gernot Rohr and José Peseiro when these gentlemen coached the Super Eagles,” he said. “It is uncalled for. We all need to work together to see the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup and win the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.”

Naija News reports that Eguavoen’s statement is coming a day before the Super Eagles’ must-win World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. (Nigerian Time) on Friday, October 10.