AFCON

AFCON 2021: Eguavoen Steps Down As Super Eagles’ Coach After Shock Exit

By Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

January 24, 2022

Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down as the interim coach of the Nigeria national team.

This follows the Super Eagles’ 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash on Sunday.

Eguavoen had led the three-time champions to three straight wins against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

However, they fell short against a Covid-stricken Tunisian team in the knockout stages.

“What happens next is that I’m the interim coach and Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Read Also: Tunisia Defeat Nigeria in AFCON R16 Berth

“I will go back to my position and allow the NFF (to) make a decision on the way forward,” Eguavoen said after the match.

Eguavoen stepped in after Gernot Rohr was sacked last month. However, the NFF announced Jose Peseiro as the new permanent coach before the AFCON kicked off.

On Sunday, Tunisia shocked the Super Eagles of Nigeria by sending them out of the African Cup of Nations 2021, scoring two minutes into the second half.

A shot from Youssef Msakni gave the Carthage Eagles their first goal in the game.

The goal came after Msakni’s shot from outside the 18-yard box was poorly parried into the net by Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye.

Super Eagles had faced a tough challenge in the first half of their encounter against Tunisia at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

A cagey opening controlled by Nigeria became tough in the 21 minutes as the Tunisian attackers put pressure on Nigeria’s defenders.

Skilful attackers Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho failed to sparkle as they barely got a chance on the pitch this evening in the tough game.

Simon played a major role when the Super Eagles won their group matches against Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau.

Source: SaharaReporters