The Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Austin Eguavoen, has refuted reports suggesting that he has resigned as the interim coach of the Nigerian national team.
The former Nigerian international was appointed to lead the team in the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.
Eguavoen’s appointment came after the NFF failed to secure the services of German coach Bruno Labbadia due to stringent German tax laws. The 59-year-old guided Nigeria to a resounding 3-0 victory over Benin in the first qualifier, but the team was held to a goalless draw by Rwanda in the second match.
Following the draw with Rwanda, rumors circulated that Eguavoen had decided to step down from his interim role. However, the gaffer has categorically denied these claims. “It’s quite unfortunate that people just trigger something that is not correct,” Eguavoen said upon his arrival in Abuja. “I only talked about sitting down with the hierarchy of the federation after these two games and we will see how to go about prosecuting the next games.”
Austin Eguavoen reassured fans that he remains firmly in charge of the Super Eagles. “Whatever people are reading out there aren’t correct. I’m still very much in charge. I’m the Technical Director of the NFF, saddled with the responsibility of taking the Super Eagles at this moment,” he stated.
With the recent results, Nigeria currently tops Group D of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers with four points. The team’s next challenge will be a double-header against Libya on October 7 and 15, respectively.
by Michael Nabary
