Football
Exclusive: Samson Unuanel advises NFF to Retain Eguavoen as Nigeria Coach
Veteran coach Samson Unuanel urges the NFF to appoint Augustine Eguavoen as Nigeria's permanent coach, dismissing the pursuit of a foreign manager as wasteful.
Image Credits: The Business Intelligence
Veteran Nigerian coach Samson Unuanel has urged the Nigeria Football Federation to appoint Augustine Eguavoen as the permanent Super Eagles coach, calling the search for a foreign manager a completely wasteful exercise.
The three-time African champions are without a substantive handler following the resignation of Finidi George after two matches in charge of the team.
The NFF had appointed former Bayer Leverkusen coach Bruno Labbadia to replace the Ajax legend, with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers approaching. However, the move fell through due to strict regulations imposed by German tax authorities.
However, the former Enyimba, Kwara United, and Sunshine Stars manager is advocating for Eguavoen to be entrusted with the role, citing his impressive performance as interim coach against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
“Pursuing a foreign coach is simply a waste of time and financial resources. What should you be looking for in a coach? Someone who can steady the ship, deliver results under any circumstances, and someone you can rely on to always be there for the team,” Unuanel told SportBoom.com in a no-holds-barred interview.
“If we truly want to be serious, we should allow Augustine Eguavoen and his technical crew to continue the good work they’ve started. After all, as the saying goes, a coach is only as good as his last match.”
“If we’re being honest, we don’t have the resources to hire a foreign coach, especially with the country’s current economic struggles. No nation in our financial situation would spend money on bringing in an expatriate.”
For now, I believe we should stick with what we have, as we’re getting the results. Eguavoen has the experience and technical expertise to lead the team forward.
Samson Unuanel
Result against Rwanda a good one
Ademola Lookman’s brace, along with a goal from Victor Osimhen, powered Nigeria to a commanding 3-0 win over Benin Republic in the first round of qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON, set to take place in Morocco.
Three days later, they faced hosts Rwanda in a goalless 0-0 draw at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
In contrast to many who criticized the 2013 African champions for their performance against Amavubi, coach Unuanel disagrees, asserting that there are no longer any underdogs in football.
He further explained: "The first game was on Saturday, followed by the next on Tuesday. Considering the short time frame, it wasn't enough for the team to perform better than they did against the Benin Republic."
"Let’s not forget that there are no longer any minnows in African football. Underestimating any team today is inviting defeat.”
"Take Ghana, for example—no one would have expected them to lose at home to Angola. Teams across Africa are progressing, and securing a draw against Rwanda on their home turf was a solid result by any standard."
Areas where the Super Eagles need improvement
“We need improvement in nearly every department, especially when you look at our bench — we still lack depth. Extensive scouting is necessary to recruit players who can consistently make an impact,” added the Ayema FC coach.
"I believe we should give home-based players the opportunity to complement their foreign counterparts. I understand that no coach wants to risk losing their job, but we must have a plan B.”
"We need to develop a home-based team and continue nurturing them. Here in Benin Republic, where I currently work, every top-flight team has a U17 squad that plays before the senior team, along with U10 teams as well.”
“That’s the proper way to build a strong foundation, and I can assure you that in five years, it will be tough to beat the Benin Republic squad."
Nigeria tops Group B with four points from two matches and will host Libya on October 6 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Shina Oludare is a notable Nigerian sports journalist and writer recognized for his extensive coverage of African sports. He has made significant contributions to the field through his work with reputable media outlets such as Goal.com and Soccernet. Known for his insightful analysis and comprehensive reporting, Oludare covers a wide range of topics within African football, including domestic leagues, national teams, and emerging talents. His work includes detailed player profiles, match previews and reviews, and transfer news, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of the sport on the continent.