Nigeria coach quits after WCQ disappointment
Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down as Nigeria head coach following the Super Eagles’ failure to secure a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Eguavoen, who has come under fire after his team’s disappointing draw with Ghana in a World Cup play-off second leg tie at Moshood Abiola Stadium on Tuesday, has quit as the Super Eagles gaffer.
The 1994 World Cup star was named as Nigeria interim coach in December following the sacking of Gernot Rohr. He led the team to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, but left the role in January following Nigeria’s ouster from the tournament.
However, he was handed a contract extension in February and was given the task of leading Nigeria against Ghana in a two-legged World Cup play-off.
His team was strongly favoured to seal qualification for the World Cup ahead of Ghana after securing a goalless draw against the Black Stars in Kumasi last week.
However, they could only force Otto Addo’s side to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in Abuja.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey had beaten Francis Uzoho with a long-range strike in the 10th minute to give Ghana the lead but 12 minutes later, William Troost-Ekong restored parity with a penalty kick after a VAR review adjudged that Ademola Lookman was illegally stopped.
In the 34th minute, Victor Osimhen thought he had given Nigeria the lead but his effort was ruled out for offside, and neither side could score again.
The result meant the two sides were level after two legs — but with the away-goals rule still in place in CAF competitions, Ghana qualified at the expense of Nigeria.
Following Eguavoen’s departure, the NFF are expected to name a new head coach anytime soon.
The football body will also appoint assistant coaches and a goalkeepers’ trainer for the team, as the other coaches who worked alongside Eguavoen — including Emmanuel Amuneke, Salisu Yusuf, Joseph Yobo and Alloy Agu — have all been axed.
“Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the erstwhile Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down from that position with immediate effect,” the NFF announced.
“The NFF has in the meantime withdrawn the two-and-half years contract offered the coaches and terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the team with immediate effect. A new crew will be announced after a proper review to lead the new charge of reinvigorating the Super Eagles to face future challenges appropriately.”