Super Eagles caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen has denied allegations that he lobbied for the interim coaching position.
In a recent statement issued through the official Super Eagles communication channels, Eguavoen clarified that his appointment was not due to any personal efforts or influence, but rather a reflection of divine favor.
“I am a member of the Federation, working as the Technical Director Nigerian Football Federation,” he said.
“When a situation like this comes and you are being called upon, you can’t say no. It’s a task that I had performed; it is a duty that falls under my responsibility.
“For the fact that the hierarchy of the Federation now feels and thinks that I can salvage the situation, why not? But one thing should be clear to the public: I didn’t ask for this; I didn’t lobby for this, I didn’t apply for this; it is God’s favour.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced Augustine Eguavoen as the interim head coach of the Super Eagles for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
This decision follows the collapse of negotiations with German coach Bruno Labbadia.
Eguavoen, 59, who has been the national team’s technical director since 2020, will assume the role temporarily during this international break.
A former Super Eagles player and coach, Eguavoen has previously managed the national team on three occasions, including a recent stint in 2021 when he led the team at the AFCON after the abrupt dismissal of former coach Gernot Rohr.