… as Rohr admits his team could not stop Lookman
Nigeria’s Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to defeat any opponent, citing the squad’s present exceptional quality of the players.
“We have quality players to beat any team, but we respect the teams anyway. Any coach can come in and do the same job with the Super Eagles. It is a mindset; we have the potential, and how you perceive your opponent, given the information about them, and then go out and do the job,” he said.
Recall that the Super Eagles of Nigeria started their campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.
Eguavoen attributed the victory to the formation adopted by the technical crew, stating that any formation could be used to ensure the team’s success.
“We can decide to use any system. It is something we discussed, and I slept over it. I know with the calibre of players that we have, we can decide to play any formation. Football is about you win, lose, and draw. I don’t believe we have a poor result,” he said.
Eguavoen commended the performance of the defense, describing it as superb, and added that the team had been training together for a week. He explained that asking six players to warm up for the second half was to buy time, stating that there was no need to rush into making changes.
Eguavoen also praised the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, noting that they came up with a good game plan.
“They are a good team, and we knew it wouldn’t be easy,” he said.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) appointed Eguavoen as interim coach after the deal with German coach Bruno Labbadia failed due to stringent regulations from German tax authorities.
Despite the challenges, Eguavoen’s leadership and the team’s determination have brought early success, and fans are hopeful for a promising campaign.
Meanwhile, Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, has admitted his team could not stop Ademola Lookman in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.
The Atalanta winger fired a brace as the Super Eagles trampled on the Cheetahs 3-0 in the matchday one encounter.
Lookman dribbled past three Cheetahs defenders before slotting home Nigeria’s opener in first-half stoppage time.
The 26-year-old nodded home the Super Eagles’ third goal eight minutes from time.
“I am not surprised by the result as I know the talent and potential of this team.
“They played with confidence and flair, and Ademola Lookman was unstoppable,” Rohr said in a post-match interview.
Nigeria top Group D of the AFCON qualifiers with all three points from the first match of the series, after Libya and Rwanda played a 1-1 draw last Thursday, while Benin Rebuplic are rooted to the bottom.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria departed for Kigali ahead of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium.
The players and their officials left the Victor Attah Airport, Uyo on Sunday afternoon.
The Super Eagles plan two training sessions in Kigali before the clash with the home team.
Rwanda held the Mediterranean Knights of Libya to a 1-1 draw in Tripoli in their first game.
