“I’m on a rescue mission” – Interim coach Eguavoen speaks on Super Eagles assignment

The former Nigerian international has swapped his Technical Director role for the national team Technical Adviser position, and he has stated his readiness to excel

Former Super Eagles captain Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his delight at being appointed as Nigeria’s interim head coach following the dismissal of Gernot Rohr by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Until his promotion on Sunday evening, the former Gent defender was the Technical Director of the Nigerian Football Federation.

It is not a new challenge for Eguavoen, who coached the Super Eagles in the past, from 2005 to 2007, before returning for a second spell as caretaker coach in 2010.

The ex-Enyimba coach led the national team to win bronze at the 2006 Afcon to add to the 1994 Afcon gold he won in his playing days.

Presently tasked with preparing the Super Eagles for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on January 9, Eguavoen will work with Salisu Yusuf, Paul Aigbogun, Joseph Yobo and Alloy Agu.

That home-grown coaching crew inherits the most talented Super Eagles team in recent memory, and it will be responsible for forging a side formidable enough to challenge for the Afcon title.

Eguavoen admits it is a challenging assignment, but he is convinced it is not a mission impossible.

“I am delighted to take charge of the Super Eagles as interim coach,” Eguavoen told the Guardian.

“I am on a rescue mission, which is a big challenge and a tough job for me. But I am happy because the assistants appointed to work with me are exposed and experienced coaches.

“Right now, I am in Uyo to watch a U-17 youth football tournament, but I will meet with the NFF tomorrow (Tuesday) in Abuja to discuss preparations for the AFCON.”

A Nigerian international for more than a decade, Eguavoen earned 49 caps before he retired in 2001.

The former ACB Lagos defender took to coaching immediately after and listed Malta’s Sliema Wanderers, South Africa’s Black Leopards, and Nigeria’s Gombe United among the clubs he has managed.

However, the 56-year-old has never stayed at a job for more than two years.