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Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen will be chasing a repeat of his remarkable feat of winning three straight group matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the first to do so for Nigeria, when he lines out his squad versus Egypt on Tuesday.
This is contained in a media statement by the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which disclosed that Eguavoen is the only man to have coached Nigeria to win all three group phase matches at the AFCON.
Megasportsarena.com reports that the statement added that it happened when the Eagles defeated Ghana, Zimbabwe and Senegal at the 2006 finals in Egypt, but lost to Tunisia after a pulsating penalty shoot-out in the quarter finals.
It further disclosed that Eguavoen, who was acting captain when the Eagles won the 1994 title in Tunisia and then coached them to third place in Egypt 12 years later, was also an assistant to Christian Chukwu when Nigeria placed third again at Tunisia 2004.
Eguavoen’s credentials will again be under the spotlight this Tuesday, when Nigeria take on seven –time champions Egypt, following which they will play Sudan and debutants Guinea Bissau in the group phase of their 19th appearance in AFCON history.
Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua will be the venue for all their matches, where the skyline will be graced all through with the green-white-green flag of Nigeria, which has made 15 podium spots – three gold, five silver and ten bronze – in 18 previous appearances at the AFCON.
His landmarks were recognized by the NFF’s media committee while noting how Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the local organizing committee formally welcomed the three-time champions to the 33rd edition of AFCON on Saturday morning.
It was a formal reception for the Nigerian delegation at the championship, which will run from 9th January to 6th February, with information placed across several areas of a team’s welfare, preparedness and what is expected of them while still at the competition.
The press release added: “On Saturday, CAF’s General Coordinator for the Garoua Centre, Titus Kunamuene led the meeting which covered media, medical, marketing, integrity, team kits and matchday operations.
“Nigeria’s Leader of Delegation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau expressed the contingent’s satisfaction with the reception accorded it at the airport on arrival Wednesday night, while commending the Confederation of African Football for the hospitality so far.
“He assured that the Nigeria team will display high level of discipline during the championship. Kunamuene expressed delight that the Super Eagles are happy with their accommodation and other logistics provided.
“Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor then presented relevant documents of players and officials for scrutiny by CAF at the team’s Hotel Ribadou de Garoua.
“The Eagles file out against the Pharaohs, in what is potentially the pick of the group’s battles, at the Stade Roumdé Adjia as from 5pm Cameroon time on Tuesday.”
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