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Augustine Eguavoen kicked off his interim reign with an emphatic thrashing of the Benin Republic in the AFCON 2025Q and has spoken about the win.
Nigerian interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has spoken out following the Super Eagles' convincing 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in their AFCON 2025 qualifier.
Serie A-based superstar Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who recently moved to Turkish giants Galatasaray, were the heroes as Nigeria avenged that painful defeat against Benin on Saturday.
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Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen's goals were enough for the Super Eagles to thrash the Benin Republic in AFCON qualifiers.
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In his post-match comments, Eguavoen emphasised tactical flexibility and the quality of his squad as key factors in their success.
"Formation is only information," Eguavoen stated, highlighting his belief in the adaptability of his team in a video shared by the team on Instagram.
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"We have players, quality players, you can decide to play any system. It's something we discussed, I also observed and slept over it, and I know with the calibre of players that we have, we can decide to play any formation and be successful."
The coach's remarks underscore a player-centric approach, focusing on the strengths of his squad rather than adhering to rigid tactical systems.
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This flexibility, according to Eguavoen, is made possible by the depth and versatility of the Nigerian team.
Addressing recent criticisms, Eguavoen noted, "We have been getting a lot of backlash and the boys didn't know it. We know we have the calibre and quality to be able to beat any team."
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He suggested that high expectations from Nigerian fans often bring out the best in the players' performances.
Despite the emphatic win, Eguavoen maintained a respectful stance towards opponents, stating, "We respect teams anyway."
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“Anybody can come in and do the same job, it’s not a problem. It’s just the mindset, we have the potential, it’s how you check out your opponent and give out information and then you go out and do the job,” he added.
He emphasised the importance of proper preparation and effective communication of tactical information to the players.
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The victory marks a strong start to Eguavoen's interim tenure, setting a positive tone for Nigeria's AFCON 2025 qualification campaign.
His balanced approach, combining confidence in his team with respect for opponents, suggests a promising outlook for the Super Eagles under his leadership.
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