Austin Eguavoen Returns As Super Eagles Interim Coach Ahead of AFCON Qualifiers in September, With Foreign Coach Search still Pending

 

Ahead of the Super Eagles’  2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying games against Benin Republic and Rwanda on September 7 and 10 respectively, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to announce Austin Eguavoen and 23-man squad this week to execute the two matches

NFF’s Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen, who has been drafted in to serve as interim Super Eagles coach, is expected to select 23 players from the 40-man provisional list to execute the two games.

"Eguavoen will take charge of the Super Eagles pending the conclusion of our search for a new manager. We are in discussions with two coaches whom we believe will do a good job as our national team’s Head Coach. The only hindrance is determining how much we can afford to pay the foreign coach and securing the funds to ensure prompt payment,” a top NFF board member disclosed to Completesports.com.

The source added: “We don’t want to owe our coaches any longer, which is why we are working around the clock to ensure that we have the necessary funds to pay whoever we contract as the next Super Eagles gaffer. Many European coaches are interested in handling the Super Eagles, but our main challenge is affordability and ensuring prompt payment.”

A member of the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee, who spoke anonymously, also revealed that the committee has made recommendations to the NFF regarding the selection of coaches for both the Super Eagles and the Flying Eagles.

We have done our part by recommending the coaches we believe are the best for the Super Eagles and Flying Eagles. It is now up to the NFF Executive Committee to announce and sign them on. I think we did a thorough job, and all things being equal, the coaches will perform well with our national teams,” the source said.

“I cannot tell you when the coaches are expected to resume because that decision rests with the NFF president and his Executive Committee members. I don’t know whether the NFF will be able to finalize the coaches’ contracts before our two AFCON games next month.