Eguavoen Assures: Whoever Is Called Upon Will Perform Against Tunisia

Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has assured that all players in his squad at the Africa Cup of Nations are up to the task of making Nigerians proud and declared that anyone of them that is selected for Sunday’s game against Tunisia will perform well.

Megasportsarena.com reports that, speaking ahead of the 8pm kick-off in Garoua, Cameroon, ‘Egu’ went on to affirm that his lads are all up to the task and he is happy that they have stepped up despite the absences of several of Nigeria’s top stars.

The gaffer added that he has been impressed by what his lads have been able to show at the competition so far, especially as they have only 27 players, instead of 28, hence his decision to keep commending them for their fighting spirit and commitment to the nation’s quest for glory.

He admitted that fatigue is bound to set in at some point during the course of some matches, which is why he is happy that he has several options available to choose from, as it was when a total eight others replaced those that started against Egypt and Sudan.

That happened for the final group game with Guinea-Bissau and they went on to win that clash 2-0 at Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua and, though Eguavoen refused to name his starting 11 for Sunday’s round of 16 battle with Tunisia, he is happy that everyone is available to play.

Eguavoen, who was fondly called ‘Cerezo’ during his heyday, submitted: “We have the 11 who will start close to our heart and, by the special grace of God they are all healthy; and there are no preferences.

“We’re here with supposedly 28 but we’re here with only 27 and everybody that has come on this trip is ready to play but at the same time we cannot play with more than eleven at a time.

“Everybody that has come to this tournament with Nigeria deserves to be here at this point in time so whoever is called upon will definitely respond because my message always to the boys is you go out there do everything you can do.

“Don’t reserve nothing, one hundred percent commitment in terms of working hard. When you are tired just signal, come out, your colleague will finish the job for you so no preference for any player.”