The ongoing debate over whether Augustine Eguavoen should remain as head coach of the Super Eagles has sparked mixed reactions, with former international Victor Ikpeba voicing concerns about the potential fallout. Ikpeba, a respected voice in Nigerian football, fears that Eguavoen could be made a scapegoat if he continues as head coach and fails to navigate the challenging task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This concern stems from the immense pressure that comes with managing the national team, especially after the team’s rocky start in the qualifiers.
Eguavoen, who was initially appointed as a caretaker coach, successfully achieved his first major objective by guiding Nigeria to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This achievement brought some relief to fans and stakeholders following a difficult period for the team. However, the stakes are set to rise significantly when Nigeria resumes its campaign for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March 2025. The Super Eagles face an uphill battle, currently sitting second from the bottom of their group with just three points from four matches.
Ikpeba, a former Super Eagles star and a member of the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) technical committee, acknowledged Eguavoen’s contributions in his interim role. He praised the coach for restoring unity and commitment to the team, emphasizing that Eguavoen has done well with the limited time and resources at his disposal. However, Ikpeba expressed reservations about the potential fallout should the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the World Cup, given that Eguavoen did not oversee the earlier matches in the qualifiers. He urged stakeholders to make thoughtful decisions regarding Eguavoen’s future, cautioning against unfairly making him the scapegoat.
The NFF, meanwhile, has stated that it is in search of a foreign coach to take over the team, leaving Eguavoen’s future uncertain. As Ikpeba noted, the decision ultimately rests with Eguavoen, who must weigh the risks and rewards of continuing in such a high-pressure role. Whether he stays or steps aside, the road ahead for the Super Eagles will require strategic planning and decisive action to turn their World Cup aspirations into reality.
