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Benedict Iroha, a former Nigeria defender, has exclusively told Completesports.com that the Super Eagles’ performance in Monday’s 1-2 defeat to Rwanda in AFCON 2025 qualifying match was a massive disappointment.
Completesports.com spotted the Texas, USA-based former Iwuanyanwu Nationale, ASEC Mimosas, and Vitesse Arnhem left-back at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, during the game.
After Rwanda’s shock 2-1 victory at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, Iroha did not hold back his criticism of the Super Eagles’ underwhelming display.
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“That was the poorest performance I could have ever expected from the Super Eagles,” Iroha lamented. “They totally disappointed the coach with that level of performance. They didn’t come to the party at all.”
The 54-year-old Iroha, who was an assistant coach at Heartland FC when they reached the 2009 CAF Champions League final, losing 2-1 on aggregate to TP Mazembe, expressed frustration at how the players squandered a key opportunity. With the Super Eagles already qualified for the AFCON finals in Morocco, he noted the “dead rubber” match was an ideal chance for Coach Augustine Eguavoen to test fringe players.
“Unfortunately, the players who had the chance to stake a claim for a permanent place in the squad, especially for the 2025 AFCON, wasted it,” Iroha remarked.
“What Eguavoen did by giving opportunities to other players is what any coach would have done. This match was a chance to build squad depth. But the players’ mentality was poor. They disappointed the coach and failed to rise to the occasion.”
He highlighted the impact of substitutes Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, who brought energy to the game, with Chukwueze scoring Nigeria’s only goal.
“Every team needs a strong bench to support the starting eleven in emergencies. But the performance, especially in the first half, was unacceptable,” Iroha said.
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Iroha, who retired in 2000 after a stint with Watford, also served as an assistant coach for Nigeria’s U17 Golden Eaglets when they won the 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup. He was part of Augustine Eguavoen’s backroom staff with the U23 Olympic Eagles in 2012.
Amid speculation about Eguavoen’s future, Iroha urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to entrust him with the Super Eagles’ 2025 AFCON campaign and offer him a formal contract.
“Eguavoen has built a good rapport with the players,” Iroha noted. “You could see how Chukwueze hugged him after scoring. That kind of unity is vital for success.
“While I don’t have the authority to dictate to the NFF, as a former international and coach with experience at various national team levels, I believe Eguavoen is the right man for the job. His track record speaks for itself.”
The current engagement marks Eguavoen’s fourth spell with the Super Eagles in different capacities, including Head Coach, interim and caretaker roles.
By Sab Osuji, in Uyo
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