The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is about three weeks away, but scepticism, fears, and questions linger in the hearts of Nigerian fans as many are in doubt of the ability of Nigeria's gaffer Austin Eguavoen to lead the Super Eagles to victory in Cameroon.
The 56-year-old took over the Super Eagles reins from German tactician Gernot Rohr after the latter was sacked earlier this month.
But whilst that decision looked ill-timed, Eguavoen will look to do the most with the little time he has before the AFCON.
However, whilst Eguavoen may be a stranger to coaching the present crop of Super Eagles, he is not entirely new to the job. The former Sharks gaffer already had two previous stints as Super Eagles coach.
However, it was only during his first stint-in 2006- that he led the Super Eagles to battle for the holy grail of African football.
Eguavoen led the Super Eagles to the 2006 AFCON in Egypt, with the likes of Julius Aghahowa, Obafemi Martins and Taiye Taiwo at his disposal.
However, he could only lead Nigeria to a third-place finish. While a third place may not seem like a bad finish, it could be viewed as an average finish when juxtaposed with Nigeria's record at the tournament.
Nigeria did well in the group stage, claiming convincing victories in all three fixtures against Ghana, Zimbabwe and Senegal. However, all the five group stage goals came in the second half.
In the Quarter-final against Tunisia, the Eguavoen tutored side triumphed again, albeit on penalties. However, their journey was brought to a halt by Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba.
The Nigerian side lost to a very strong Ivorian side which had the likes of Kalou, Toure, Zakora, and former Arsenal star Eboue.
Nevertheless, the Nigerian side still clinched the bronze medal in the third-place match after a late winner from Garba Lawal.
Under the tutelage of Eguavoen, the Super Eagles scored seven goals at the 2006 AFCON, six of which were second-half goals.
However, it is almost 16 years since that competition, with a totally different set of players, most of whom are young but not new to action on the African continent.
Nigeria emerged third at the last AFCON after a painful loss to Algeria in the Semis. However, Eguavoen will look to help the Super Eagles do one better and return a semblance of the joy that Nigerians felt when the Super Eagles soared to victory in 2013.
He can do better if he apply a classical Nigeria style mix it with a modern foot ball which depends on pace,speed,keeping the ball for a long time(TikiTaka) playing pressing ball with a tackling of sliding; also choosing a quality players with enthusiasm and passtion and love Nigeria jersy with also a combative soul . Eguavoen must exclude shaky and weak and lazy players like: William Troost Ekong,Leon Balogun,Kelechi Iheanchu,Ogenekaro Etebo, Samuel Kalu,Pual Onuachu, Abdullahi Shehu. Also Eguavoen must make a plan to prepare Super Eagles so hard with tow or three friendly matches before Afrcon. final in Cameroon; I recommend to play Morocco, Kenya or Ethopia, Togo or Equatoria Guinea or Guinea because these teams have the same style of playing of Nigeria group; also I recommend Eguavoen to select or recall players have attribute which I mentioned above like: Victor Moses,Sadiq Umar,Akinkunmi Amoo,Usman Mohammed, Calvin Bassey,Joe Aribo, Kelvin Akpoguma, Ovie Ejaria,Chidozie Awaziem,Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi, Maduka Okoye,Francis Uzoho,Adeleye, Samuel Chukuwueze, Ahmed Musa, Dennis Bonevonture,Felix Agu, Zaidu Sanusi, Jamilu Collins, Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Alhassan Ibrahim, James Igbekime, Simon Moses, Wilfred Ndidi. Demanding full support from NFF all excellent services whom they can offer for SE like paying bonuses on time, bringing excellent aircraft for SE to travel to Cameroon, equip an excellent air in order to do better in this champoinship, put a suitable and proper tactics and plans to success in this final of Afcon. ; depend on psychological and physical situation of SE player just on his club and how he does? how he offer for his club? what about his creativity at his club? if the player is creative and interactive you must recall him without his club and the leauge he plays just like Akinkunmi Amoo is playing now at small club and leauge but he is creative and interactive one. If you (Egua.) did these thing on the team tightly and seriously , you would win or lift this cup.
I agree with you bro. With the inclusion of Dessers, Nwakali, Osagwe, Adeleye and Nwobodo, Super Eagles is ready to go in Cameroon. God bless Nigeria !!!
I super eagle has not being playing ticky-tacker style of football, i belaive if the style is inclusive together with discipline and readiness, super eagle will go a long way.