TBT: Super Eagles coach Eguavoen celebrates his 25-year-old historical feat in Russia

The 56-year-old tactician is currently preparing for Nigeria’s huge clash against Ghana next month, but he took some time out to celebrate a historical feat he achieved in Russia years ago 

Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has shared a throwback video of when he made his debut for Torpedo Moscow in the Russian top-flight.

The 56-year-old, who also played for clubs like Genk and KV Kortrijk, shared the video on his official Twitter account with the caption; ‘Here’s a clip of me showing my Athleticism in the colors of Torpedo Moscow.’

Eguavoen made his debut for Torpedo on January 1st 1997 after joining the club from American club Sacramento Knights.

Eguavoen’s debut on new year’s day of 1997 made him the first black player to play in the Russian Premier League.

New Year’s day 1997, I became the First Black player to play in Russia 🇷🇺

Here’s a clip of me showing my Athleticism in the colors of Torpedo Moscow. 😉⚫️⚪️

Чёрно-белые • Автозаводцы #waybackwednesday #torpedomoscow #автозаводцы pic.twitter.com/uBzARh6vTP

— Austin Eguavoen (@coacheguavoen) February 10, 2022

He made 25 appearances in the league and 31 in all competitions for Torpedo, scoring one goal and setting up another.

The Russian league is not too popular with black players due to racism, but Eguavoen was the first black player brave enough to play in a league that has not been kind to players of colour.

Four years ago, the same Torpedo, who are now in the second division, sacked a black player born in Russia to Congolese parents because fans attacked his race. 

Nonetheless, there have been a couple of black players in the Russian Premier League since Eguavoen made history.

The likes of Ahmed Musa, Chidi Odiah, Obafemi Martins, Emmanuel Emenike are some of the Nigerian players that had a stint in the Russian top-flight.

Right now, Chidera Ejuke is another Nigerian player plying his trade in Russia with CSKA Moscow.