Breaking News: Nigeria coach Eguavoen resigns after AFCON disaster

Augustine Eguavoen, the coach of Nigeria’s senior national team, resigned on Sunday, only two months before the Super Eagles meet Ghana in the pivotal 2022 World Cup playoffs, following the Super Eagles’ dismal Round of 16 defeat at the African Cup of Nations.

On Sunday night, Eguavoen resigned as the Super Eagles’ interim coach after they were knocked out of the Cameroon tournament by Tunisia, a team with little fanfare.

Nigeria was defeated 1-0 by the Carthage Eagles in the round of 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Garoua, prompting the veteran international defender to retire.

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Eguavoen had led the three-time champions to three consecutive victories over Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau, giving fans hope that the Super Eagles were on their way to a fourth crown.

However, they were stunningly eliminated from the competition by a Tunisia team that had been weakened by a Covid-19 outbreak among their squad, but still managed to defeat the African giants, prompting Eguavoen to fall on his sword.

In a post-match press conference, Eguavoen remarked, “What happens next is that I’m the interim coach and Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).”

“I will go back to my position and allow the NFF (to) make a decision on the way forward.”

Eguavoen was appointed as the interim coach of the Super Eagles after Gernot Rohr was sacked last month and the team’s group stage performance prompted calls for him to be made the permanent coach.

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The NFF had already named Jose Peseiro as the new permanent coach of the Super Eagles before the AFCON started in Cameroon.

Nigeria will face Ghana in March in two World Cup playoff matches to decide one of the five African slots at the tournament to be played in Qatar.

Source: ghanasoccernet.com