Super Eagles Interim Manager, Austin Eguavoen says the Super Eagles have what it takes to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Morocco.
Nigeria is in Group D alongside Benin Republic, Rwanda and Libya.
Eguavoen who spoke with NFF TV ahead of Saturday’s 2025 AFCON qualifying match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo, said he was optimistic that the Super Eagles would scale through.
“Nigeria is a great nation, in terms of football, alot of countries respect her and the 2025 AFCON Qualifier is no different.
“I am very confident that we will scale through these two games and beyond.
“We have the materials, players, personnel and support. We have everything,” he said.
He said there was a need to remind the players of their achievement at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire where they finished as runners-up in the tournament.
He also called on Nigerians to rally round the team to ensure it begins its campaign on a bright note.
“The only thing we have to remind these players about is that they were almost African champions a few months ago; it’s not even up to a year yet.
“So, what went wrong? It is still the same players. We will do everything we have to do as the technical crew and of course, the federation.
“Nigerians will also rally round them, but they (the players) are the ones whose duty it is to turn the table around.
“I have spoken to them and we will still be having some series of meetings before the game proper and I am very confident that they will go out there and make the nation proud,” he said.
Eguavoen, however, cautioned that it was very important for the Super Eagles to respect every opponent in the qualifier as there were no minnows in football any more.
“We will treat our opponents with utmost respect, no doubt about that, because in football, if you disrespect or look down on any team, then you will have problems.
“So, we will play them with great respect, but this is our home and we have no choice but to ensure we begin our AFCON qualifying campaign with a victory on Saturday,” Eguavoen said.
The coach revealed that only three players are still being expected in the camp of the Super Eagles, as 20 players trained in Uyo on Tuesday evening.
Captain William Ekong led from the front, arriving on Monday with the earliest birds, which included defenders Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi and Olisa Ndah.
Midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as well as forwards Ademola Lookman and Taiwo Awoniyi were also part of the training.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi were in town, while forward Victor Boniface and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali joined in the evening.
On Tuesday morning, defender Calvin Bassey and midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka came in.
This was before defender Benjamin Tanimu (drafted in place of Bright Osayi-Samuel), midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze arrived.
In the evening, just before the team bus pulled out of the hotel for training, defender Bruno Onyemaechi (of Portuguese club Boavista) and midfielder Raphael Onyedika (of Belgian side Club Brugge) arrived in camp.
Forward Kelechi Iheanacho arrived camp on Wednesday, while goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Victor Osimhen are being expected on Thursday.
After Saturday’s encounter, the Super Eagles are scheduled to fly to Kigali on Sunday for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi of Rwanda.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
