Austin Eguavoen As New Super Eagles Head Coach - What Can He Deliver? What Should We Expect?

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday announced the sack of erstwhile manager of the Nigerian national team, Gernot Rohr, and offered the job to Austin Eguavoen, the NFF’s Technical Director, on an interim basis. Here, we are looking at what Eguavoen can deliver and what we should expect as fellow stakeholders and fans. 

Maybe, Austin Eguavoen is the right man when it comes to a transition period as this, after sacking a foreign coach. He has quite some experience in handling situations where there may be divided opinions and attitudes, especially from the "big boys" in the team. He knows how to maintain law and order. 

One thing I admire about Eguavoen is his professionalism and discipline. You cannot fault him in clandestine attitudes and that could easily be seen with the way he carries himself before these "larger than life" players. 

This isn't his first time of carrying out a job like this. He was brought in as caretaker coach to replace Swedish Lars Lagerbäck in 2010 and I think he executed that job credible before he was appointed the Head coach of the national U23 team in August that same year. 

Eguavoen was also an astute defender in his active playing days and was a key player of the national team that won Afcon and represented Nigeria in their very first World Cup participation in 1994. 

Eguavoen Coaching Pedigree

However, Eguavoen coaching pedigree can be called to question. He started his coaching career in 2000 and since his 21 years on the job, he has only won Federations cup with a Enyimba in 2009. Eguavoen hasn't been less than a journey man coach with his two stints as national team coach. He wasn't able to qualify the national U23 team for the 2012 Olympics. 

He has always journeyed along as a coach with Sharks, Enyimba, COD, Gombe United, Bendel Insurance and Sunshine stars with not much ado. Often than not, falling out with club management, but still respected as an Ex-International and his professional character. 

What Can Eguavoen Deliver? 

Sincerely, if you ask me what Eguavoen can deliver as the new head coach of Nigeria national team, I would say discipline, stability in camp and in handling the current Super Eagles players. 

I don't think Eguavoen has what it takes to reshape the team to start playing well or to start playing the Nigerian style.

 Well, he has a lot of backroom support, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo KANU and Garba Lawal as technical staff. Then a consortium of coaches: Salisu Yusuf (Chief Coach), Paul Aigbogun (Assistant Coach), Joseph Yobo (Assistant Coach), Dr Terry Eguaoje (Assistant Coach) and Aloysius Agu (Goalkeeper Trainer), could be an advantage if he can effectively manage them. Indeed, it could also backfire to so many opinions and deserting voices, favoritism and the likes. 

What We should Expect? 

We should expect a decent Afcon participation. Maybe, Super Eagles can get to the Semi finals again or perhaps, quarter finals this time. But for the Playoffs, I have my fears. I just pray Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup! 

I just wondered why Emmanuel Amunike and Finidi George were not considered in the mix. I should think they have better coaching prowess. But NFF technical committee could be good reasons and this is just my own opinion.