James Peter, the former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has voiced serious concerns regarding the recent appointment of Austin Eguavoen as the interim coach of the Super Eagles. This decision comes ahead of the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where Nigeria will face Benin and Rwanda.
Peter has openly criticized the choice, calling it a “wind that blows nobody any good.” He questions the wisdom of the NFF in reinstating Eguavoen, suggesting that this move might not benefit the national team. Eguavoen, who also serves as the NFF’s Technical Director, was appointed to lead the team after a deal with the prospective new coach, Bruno Labbadia, fell through.
This appointment marks Eguavoen’s fourth stint as head coach of the Nigerian national team. His previous terms were from 2005 to 2007, in 2010, and again in 2022. His last tenure was particularly disappointing, as Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This failure has left a lasting impact on Nigerian football fans, who still remember the disappointment.
Peter, a veteran coach who came close to leading Nigeria to victory at the 1991 African Games in Cairo, has been blunt in his assessment of Eguavoen’s capabilities. Speaking on a radio program, Peter expressed a lack of confidence in Eguavoen’s ability to lead the Super Eagles to success in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers. He stated, “We are walking on a tightrope, and I don’t think Eguavoen has the capacity; and at this stage, it’s a hopeless situation.”
Peter further criticized the NFF’s decision-making process, lamenting the delays in choosing a coach. He believes that appointing Eguavoen reflects poorly on the organization and could lead to another disappointing outcome. According to Peter, “What Eguavoen will do would be nothing to write home about.”
Eguavoen’s track record as the national team coach has been a topic of debate, with many questioning his suitability for this high-pressure role. Peter described Eguavoen as a “serial failure,” arguing that he lacks the experience and competence needed for the job. He expressed frustration that Eguavoen continues to be given opportunities despite his previous failures, stating, “Must he fail the tenth time before they know that he cannot do it? It is an unfortunate situation, and we are not putting anybody competent enough in that place.
Despite these concerns, the 21 players of the Super Eagles have reported to camp and are preparing for their opening AFCON qualifying match against the Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7. The outcome of these qualifiers will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
