What Eguavoen’s Super Eagles lack
Austin Eguavoen has a rare talent for taking charge in difficult circumstances and swiftly bringing things back under control. The former Super Eagles captain has often been Nigeria’s trusted hand in times of crisis, and once again, he’s stepped up when called upon.
Leading the team to four points from a possible six in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Eguavoen’s return has been met with both optimism and skepticism.
Here’s a breakdown of what he got right—and the one area he’ll need to improve should he be considered for the job permanently.
Positives
Eguavoen’s tactical acumen
When Austin Eguavoen was named interim coach, the decision wasn’t without controversy. A replacement for Finidi George had yet to be secured after talks with German coach Bruno Labbadia fell apart over tax-related issues.
As Nigeria’s Technical Director, Eguavoen stepped up, leading the Super Eagles in their opening two AFCON qualifying games against Benin Republic and Rwanda. His tactical flexibility and willingness to rotate the squad stood out immediately.
Against Benin, he opted to start Victor Boniface, who had enjoyed better preseason preparation than star striker Victor Osimhen. Similarly, Eguavoen’s decision to rest Alex Iwobi for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the Rwanda game showed that he isn’t afraid to utilize squad depth, especially in quick turnaround matches. His use of squad rotation kept the team fresh, with only three outfield players—Kelechi Iheanacho, Benjamin Tanimu, and Abdullahi Yusuf—failing to get minutes over both games.
Super Eagles solidity under Eguavoen
One of the biggest improvements under Austin Eguavoen has been Nigeria’s defense. In his two games in charge, the Super Eagles have kept two clean sheets—something they struggled to achieve under the previous coach, Finidi George.
The backline, led by William Troost-Ekong and supported by Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, remained compact and disciplined. Rwanda and Benin pressed Nigeria throughout the games, but couldn’t find a way past Stanley Nwabali, largely due to Eguavoen’s well-organized defensive structure.
This defensive resilience is one of Eguavoen’s strengths. He’s managed to shore up a backline that had looked porous in recent matches. Under his guidance, Nigeria appears much more difficult to break down, which could be a strong argument for his retention going forward.
Substitutions and tactical adjustments
One area where Austin Eguavoen truly stood out was his use of substitutions. In both matches, he recognized that the first half lacked attacking sharpness and made bold second-half changes.
Against Benin, the introduction of Osimhen and Moses Simon provided the spark that led to a dominant second half display, culminating in a 3-0 win. Against Rwanda, Osimhen’s energy created problems for the hosts’ defense, while Simon’s pace on the flank added much-needed width and attacking threat.
Though the game against Rwanda ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, Eguavoen’s adjustments were clear signs of his proactive approach. He wasn’t afraid to make changes when things weren’t working, even when it involved dropping key players.
Negatives
The creativity conundrum
Despite the positives, there are still lingering concerns about Nigeria’s midfield creativity under Austin Eguavoen. Wilfred Ndidi looked off the pace, and while Dele-Bashiru showed promise in replacing Iwobi, neither provided the forward thrust needed to unlock stubborn defenses.
Nigeria’s attack remains reliant on individual brilliance rather than collective fluidity, something Eguavoen will need to address if he’s to be considered for a long-term role.
Austin Eguavoen has brought defensive solidity and tactical flexibility back to the Super Eagles. While his return has been far from perfect, the four points earned in AFCON qualifying provide a solid foundation.
However, Nigeria’s creative issues in midfield persist. Former Super Eagles star and coach, Samson Siasia pointed this out in a recent interview on Lagos Talks. Siasia said the team still lack a playmaker in the mould of his former international teammate, Austin Jay Jay Okocha. Said he, “We don’t have an offensive midfield player that can give the last pass to the strikers,” Siasia told radio station Lagos Talks. “We have great strikers, but we need someone that is missing.”
Siasia’s comments highlight a problem that has persisted since Jay-Jay Okocha’s retirement. The former Super Eagles captain, renowned for his vision, flair, and ability to orchestrate attacks, left a gap in the team that no one has fully filled.
(Alex) Iwobi cannot play that position.
“He’s a good player, but he’s not doing as much as he’s supposed to as an offensive player. We have to look for that person in the center of the field, who can give the last passes and score goals.
“In the defence and other parts, right and left midfield, we are good. We need someone like Jay-Jay Okocha, but it has to be somebody that can score more than him,” Siasia said.
Whether Eguavoen is the man to lead them to AFCON and beyond remains an open question. Time will tell if he is the right choice for the permanent role, but for now, he has certainly steadied the ship.”
Culled from afrik-foot.com
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