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Nigeria: Eguavoen makes his feelings clear on Peseiro’s appointment

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The Portuguese coach will start his job as the new Super Eagles manager after the AFCON.

Augustine Eguavoen has done a great job at the Africa Cup of Nations so far. Nigeria have won their first two games against Egypt and Sudan under their former captain, securing an early qualification for the knock-out stage.

However, the 56-year-old will step down from his role soon. Two weeks before the tournament, Nigeria announced their decision to appoint Jose Paseiro as their new manager.

However, the former Porto manager will not be in the dugout until after the AFCON. Eguavoen, who replaced long-serving Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr earlier this year, has backed the decision to appoint Paseiro. 

“I was part of the group that interviewed a couple of coaches. And as technical director I was also involved, which is a full credit to the NFF,” he said (via BBC).

“It’s still up to the federation to decide. But if a contract has been signed we have to respect it.

“The only thing I can guarantee is that if Jose Peseiro comes in, we are going to have a very good working relationship. I know the terrain, he doesn’t.

“We have to provide him with the platform for him to be comfortable, relax and do the job. I will support him from the bottom of my heart 100%, because it’s not about me, it’s about the country.”

Will Eguavoen stay beyond AFCON?

Nigeria’s AFCON performances have generated rumours around Eguavoen’s potential appointment as the permanent manager. Earlier this week, NFF president Amaju Pinnick hinted the three-time AFCON winner might remain in his position if Nigeria win the tournament. However, the manager says he prefers to keep his focus on his side’s upcoming fixtures.

“My mandate is to work with these amazing players and colleagues in Cameroon,” the Super Eagles boss added.

“We have given the players the freedom to enjoy themselves and the fans a reason to believe in the team again.

“But we can’t pay attention to those calling us the tournament favourites now. I have no control over what happens at the end of this competition.

“Anything outside my mandate is not up to me and I just want to focus on the next opponent and take it from there.”

The former defender has previously spent two spells as Nigeria’s coach. NFF hired him as their permanent coach from 2005 to 2007 before appointing him as their caretaker manager in 2010.

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