Augustine Eguavoen has been appointed as the interim manager of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, following the departure of Jose Peseiro.
This is coming after Peseiro revealed that his contract ended on February 29, 2024, and as such, he will be exiting the national team of Nigeria alongside his coaching crew.
Eguavoen's appointment as caretaker manager signifies the fourth time that the 58-year-old has been handed the big job of handling the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up.
Augustine Eguavoen was first in charge of the team from 2005 to 2007, where he led the team to win the Bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Bendel Insurance manager also managed the team from January 15, 2007, to August 16, 2010, and December 15, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
He was caretaker boss of the Super Eagles when they had a smashing display in the group stage of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, before losing to Tunisia in the Round of 16.
Additionally, Eguavoen oversaw the team in both legs of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ghana, where Nigeria lost via away goal rule, after playing out a nil-nil draw in Kumasi, before playing out a 1-1 draw in Abuja.
The two games which the Super Eagles failed to win under him - the 2021 AFCON and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers - were influenced by goalkeeping errors.
Maduka Okoye horribly saved an attempt from Tunisia's Youssef Msakni in the 47th of the 2021 AFCON Round of 16 and that had a massive effect on Nigeria losing on the day.
In the 1-1 draw at Abuja, Ghana's Thomas Partey struck a shot in the 10th minute that was fumbled by Francis Uzoho.
Those on the side of Augustine Eguavoen taking charge of the Super Eagles will point towards those errors as the reason why Nigeria failed in those games under the 58-year-old.
Reports indicate that Eguavoen is possibly a placeholder, who was put there pending the time administrators of the Super Eagles will appoint a new head coach.
There are also reports that Jose Peseiro might still be called back to handle the team, although under new contractual terms.
Meanwhile, Augustine Eguavoen will be assisted by Finidi George, who currently manages Nigerian giants Enyimba.
Finidi led Enyimba to the Nigeria Premier Football League title last campaign, and he was the longest-serving assistant of Nigerian descent to Peseiro.
It will be fascinating to see how the duo combine to lead Nigeria forward, with a section of the media displaying skepticism on whether the pair can work together.
There have been growing calls from Nigerians that a coach of Nigerian descent be appointed to take charge of the 3-time Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Emmanuel Amunike, Samson Siasia, and even Finidi George are some names that have been linked with the top job.
Meanwhile, Nigeria were scheduled to play against world champions Argentina in March 2022 but the friendly encounter was canceled.
Anyway, all attention shifts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with Nigeria playing against South Africa on June 5, 2024, before battling neighbors Benin Republic 3 days later - June 8, 2024.
The aformentioned are the confirmed competitive matches to come for the Super Eagles in 2024, with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers expected to go down from September 2, 2024, to November 19, 2024.
This is coming after Peseiro revealed that his contract ended on February 29, 2024, and as such, he will be exiting the national team of Nigeria alongside his coaching crew.
Eguavoen's appointment as caretaker manager signifies the fourth time that the 58-year-old has been handed the big job of handling the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up.
Augustine Eguavoen was first in charge of the team from 2005 to 2007, where he led the team to win the Bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Bendel Insurance manager also managed the team from January 15, 2007, to August 16, 2010, and December 15, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
He was caretaker boss of the Super Eagles when they had a smashing display in the group stage of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, before losing to Tunisia in the Round of 16.
Additionally, Eguavoen oversaw the team in both legs of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ghana, where Nigeria lost via away goal rule, after playing out a nil-nil draw in Kumasi, before playing out a 1-1 draw in Abuja.
The two games which the Super Eagles failed to win under him - the 2021 AFCON and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers - were influenced by goalkeeping errors.
Maduka Okoye horribly saved an attempt from Tunisia's Youssef Msakni in the 47th of the 2021 AFCON Round of 16 and that had a massive effect on Nigeria losing on the day.
In the 1-1 draw at Abuja, Ghana's Thomas Partey struck a shot in the 10th minute that was fumbled by Francis Uzoho.
Those on the side of Augustine Eguavoen taking charge of the Super Eagles will point towards those errors as the reason why Nigeria failed in those games under the 58-year-old.
Reports indicate that Eguavoen is possibly a placeholder, who was put there pending the time administrators of the Super Eagles will appoint a new head coach.
There are also reports that Jose Peseiro might still be called back to handle the team, although under new contractual terms.
Meanwhile, Augustine Eguavoen will be assisted by Finidi George, who currently manages Nigerian giants Enyimba.
Finidi led Enyimba to the Nigeria Premier Football League title last campaign, and he was the longest-serving assistant of Nigerian descent to Peseiro.
It will be fascinating to see how the duo combine to lead Nigeria forward, with a section of the media displaying skepticism on whether the pair can work together.
There have been growing calls from Nigerians that a coach of Nigerian descent be appointed to take charge of the 3-time Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Emmanuel Amunike, Samson Siasia, and even Finidi George are some names that have been linked with the top job.
Meanwhile, Nigeria were scheduled to play against world champions Argentina in March 2022 but the friendly encounter was canceled.
Anyway, all attention shifts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with Nigeria playing against South Africa on June 5, 2024, before battling neighbors Benin Republic 3 days later - June 8, 2024.
The aformentioned are the confirmed competitive matches to come for the Super Eagles in 2024, with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers expected to go down from September 2, 2024, to November 19, 2024.