Eguavoen To Lead Eagles Against Libya As NFF’s Hunt For Permanent Coach Drags On

Austin Eguavoen is set to continue as interim manager of the Super Eagles for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Libya, as the search for a permanent head coach remains unresolved.

Eguavoen, the former Eagles defender and Technical Director of the NFF was drafted in temporarily for AFCON qualifiers after talks between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and German coach Bruno Lambaddia crumbled and he led the side to a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic and another goalless draw in Rwanda.

The NFF’s prolonged pursuit of a substantive coach has drawn criticism from football stakeholders who argue that the uncertainty could affect Nigeria’s preparation for major tournaments.

However, officials insist they are prioritizing finding the right candidate to lead the national team to future success. Eguavoen, who previously managed the Eagles to third place in the 2006 AFCON and led them during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, will once again be tasked with securing crucial points for Nigeria in their bid to qualify for the next AFCON.

Sources within the federation indicate that a former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, who recently parted ways with Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, has become the latest name to surface as a potential candidate.