Sports

#AFCON2021: Real reason I took over from Rohr – Eguavoen opens up

Published

3 years ago

January 25, 2022

Augustine Eguavoen has explained why he stepped in as interim boss of the Super Eagles, after Gernot Rohr was sacked in November..

Rohr was dismissed after five years in charge of the Nigeria national team, weeks before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in Cameroon.

Eguavoen, speaking with BBC Sport Africa, said as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical director, he had to step in before a permanent boss is hired.

“Our former coach was relieved of his duties and it was just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations.

“As technical director, anywhere in the world that is what is obtainable. If there is a vacancy, it is the technical director that steps in before the coach has been appointed.

“So that’s why you see me taking this role and an interim man,” he said.

The NFF announced Jose Peseiro as the next head coach of the Eagles before AFCON 2021, while Eguavoen stepped aside after they were eliminated by Tunisia on Sunday.