Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has opened up on how he tried to convinced former Aston Villa striker, Gabriel Agbonlahor to represent Nigeria ahead of the Three Lions of England.
Eguavoen made this known in an interview with Elegbete TV Sports, where he said that Agbonlahor, who was in top form at the time snubbed him in 2006, during his (Eguavoen) first stint as interim boss of the national team.
Recall that Agbonlahor, who was born in Birmingham, was eligible to wear the colours of the Super Eagles as well as England and Scotland.
Eguavoen, who took the Super Eagles to the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon where the team crashed out in the last 16 to Tunisia, said he was asked why he wanted to see Agbonlahor, and after explaining himself to the club’s officials, they said, “okay they’ll get back to me.
“When Agbonlahor was in Aston Villa, I went to England, I tried to reach him on the phone before going to Villa because it’s not a place you just go to, Aston Villa Stadium in Birmingham, and start looking for a player,” Eguavoen said to Elegbete TV Sports, where he also spoke on many other issues concerning the Super Eagles.
“They got back to me only to say Agbonlahor is not ready to see anybody at this point in time, maybe some other time.”
“Take for example you invite Agbonlahor from Aston Villa, you’d look stupid if he doesn’t show up, so you must engage people first, discuss and find out if it’s something they want to get into or not,” he added.
12 Comments
It hasn’t anything to do with whether you are Eguavoen of Nigeria or Cisse of Senegal. There is the monetary side to it and there is the fear factor which has to do with African small god called juju, it’s scary.
Sport is a useful prism through which to explore aspects of national identity. This is particularly so with football, given its popularity and global reach. International teams are often portrayed as the embodiment of the nation for the duration of a match. They carry the nation’s hopes and dreams. A case in mind is Ghana where many of their foreign honed players aren’t willing to represent their motherland. Yet it’s becoming common to see footballers competing for a country other than the one they were born or raised in. The regulations allow this if they are eligible for citizenship of the country.
How I did this How I did that. When will Eguavoen shut up and concentrate on the football science needed to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup? Empty vessels make the most noises!
@Ako Amadi,
It is actually several excerpts from 1 interview with Elegbete TV that the sport sites are breaking into several bits.
The Nigerian Technical Adviser has just spoken the truth. We can really force these players to represent us no matter how much we tried. Ex coach Rohr had similar problem when he wanted to bring in a consortium of foreign based players before the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Till tomorrow, many Agbonlahon abide.
LMFAO! So EMBARRASSING HE couldn’t even get to see him. LMFAO!
If it was GENERAL ROAH Convincing him would have been an EASY PEASY.
Oh! That’s why we all love and miss GENERAL ROAH!
If Rhor is skilled in convincing players why aren’t olise,eze,musiala etc playing for Nigeria?
I think the numbers of players that transfered their sporting allegiance and why they did, can shed some light on the often complex, multi layered and contingent nature of national identity. This has been occuring besides being Nigerians, we equally have Ola Aina, Balogun, Iwobi, Ekong and most recently Lookmam who are already in.
Players choose which country to represent for different reasons. Some players may be motivated by a sense of cultural affinity. For others it’s an opportunity to play international football and advance their career, and others like Agbonlahon have their parents as deciding factors.
Thank God the NFC gave its blessings. My advice to coach Eguavoen and his crew is to develop a format on how to raise the standard of our domestic league, discover local talents that would serve as a feeder team. There’s nothing wrong in getting the best legs from Europe and America or even other parts of the World, but we are desirous of a concise effort to groom internal synergies. I have experience in this regard and could be of help.
Point of correction: The NFF and (not NFC)
I Love Augustine Eguavoen I remeber this very vividly it was between the period of 2007 or 2008 if I am not mistaken when Eguavoen was at the helm of this any way Agbonlahor later came to regret his stupid decision Mind you that was at the time when not many Anglo Born Nigerians were willing to represent Nigeria for various reasons. the media boom on football the begining of the over hyping of the Three Lions by the English Media and so forth so as at the time it was very hard not as easy as it is now.
However I love Augustine Eguavoen for being an open book that is why i love this guy.. Nigerians are so funny you people were asking for a coach that is an open book and now he is doing as you asked you are insulting him for being an open book kai!!!.. this country really is a non pleasing nation
“not the beginning more so the earlier stages” However it is the experiences of guys like Agbonlahor and co how England used and chewed them out that some anglo born Nigerians are now shining thier eyes
Mind you that was at the time when not many Anglo Born Nigerians were **NOT** willing to represent Nigeria for various reasons. the media
FORGET ABOUT AGBONLAHOR
GO AND CONVINCE SOLANKE. HE IS HOT NOW AND BETTER THAN IGHALO, ONUACHU,AWONIYI IN TERMS OF PRESENT FORM.