Former Nigerian midfielder, Sylvanus Okpala believes the Super Eagles interim coach, Austine Eguavoen’s experience will come handy on the team at the fast-approaching 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Okpala, who was among the technical crew of late Stephen Keshi that won the 2013 AFCON title, told Brila FM in an interview that he’s optimistic Eguavoen will excel at the bi-annual tournament.
“I think Austine Eguavoen knows what to do because he has been part and parcel of the Super Eagles squad. He has been there and has been watching some of the players.
“No doubt, Eguavoen is a season coach and his experience will come to count at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.”
The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group D of the competition which starts on January 9, alongside Egypt, Sudan and Guniea-Bissau.
Recall that Eguavoen was appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as interim coach after the termination of Gernot Rohr’s contract.
He will now take charge of the team as it begins preparations for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon 9th January – 6th February 2022, and until the appointment of a substantive Head Coach.
3 Comments
egueavon may seems the right choice prior to the commencement of the new coach he must have conducted more than 10 press conference but one thing i am sure his team will be more strong organised resolute purposeful serious as well eye winning mentality than compared with ROHR TEAM im sure he is going to structure his team based on the way U.S 94 TEAM PLAYED that i am sure we will all see it and be proud
I commend your commentray Broth. Nnamdi about succession of Eguavoen for leading Super Eagles to the new high and new era;I think he will change Super Eagles to a formidable team which will shake African football as thier old era on 94,96,98,2000 then 2013 when SE have lift Afcon. Cup in South Africa led by the late vetern coach Stephen Kechi;but this change must need somethings to do by vetern Eguavoen; these things are fristly: applying classical SE pattern of playing which they have been playing from a long time mix it with modern football which depend on Tiki Taka which means keeping the ball for a long time with pressing on the opponent or rival team SE meet; choose quality players who have charisma and interaction in thier clubs and SE just like: Victor Osimhen, Victor Moses, Sadiq Umar, Cyriel Dessers, Akinkunmi Amoo, Usman Mohammed, Dennis Bonavonture, Ovie Ejaria, James Igbikemi, Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Samuel Chukwueze, Jamilu Collins,Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi, Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, John Noble, Ahmed Musa, Simon Moses, Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Ibrahim, Alex Iwobi; then exclude the shaky and weak players who haven’t soul and enthusaism jyst like: William Troost Ekong, Kelechi Iheancho, Oghenekaro Etebo, Leon Balogun, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Daniel Akpeyi, Abdullahi Shehu, Kevin Akpoguma; Eguavoen must put a plan for this tournament as he must study how his counterpart late vetern coach Stephen Kechi how he has lift Afcon. Cup in South Africa, what are his mechnics which help him to win this championship?; he must put a tight tactic about any match and he must avoid complacency on any tiny team like Sudan, Guinea Bissau; he must put strong tactic and strong line-up for Egypt encounter; I thik he must put 3-5-2 for Egypt match as follows:Okoye-V. Moses,Awaziem,Bassey-Ndidi, Usman Mohammed,Iwobi,Ejuke,Chukwueze- Sadiq Umar, V. Osimhen.Then on Sudan match he can change the tactic to 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 as the current of the match requires; the of Giunea Bissau can be like Sudan’s match. On quarter final he can change his tactic as the standard of the rival or opponent; it can be Cote De Ivore or Algeria as the position of SE in the group. Eguavoen must organize a friendly matches before the begining of the tournament three day before with the countries have the same style in the group like kenya, Ethopia , Libya, Togo, Giunea.
In Nigeria virtually all football fans are coaches. It’s not been well with SE gaffers for long time,my candid advice for Austin Eguavoen is too keep to his tactics and formation that would propel SE to better level than before. I hope Eguavoen will jettison gratification,bribe etc for success which could earn him fortunes around Africa and beyond in the nearest future. I wish him the best in his new endeavor