The former international has been charged with securing a Qatar 2022 ticket for the three-time African champions
1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning captain Christian Chukwu has applauded Super Eagles interim Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen for his performance in charge of the senior national team at Cameroon 2021.
Chukwu maintains that Eguavoen has made huge strides forward as a coach, as compared to the time the two of them worked together eight years ago.
Chukwu was the Super Eagles head coach, and Eguavoen was his assistant at the 2004 Afcon, where Nigeria claimed a bronze medal.
Eguavoen took over the mantle of leadership from his boss, but he could only match his feat of a third-place finish two years later.
The former Torpedo Moscow defender, however, returned to the Super Eagles saddle, albeit temporarily, in December after the sacking of long-serving German, Gernot Rohr.
Eguavoen's Super Eagles did not make it beyond the Round-of-16, where a weakened Tunisian side stopped them.
That disappointing elimination was an anti-climax for a team that produced many fine moments at the tournament after winning each of their first three games.
Still, Chukwu insists his former protegee has improved significantly as a football coach.
But to become the best in his field, the former international has advised Eguavoen to improve his in-game management skills.
“He (Eguavoen) has become a far better coach from the time he worked with me as an assistant,” Chukwu told the New Telegraph.
“He has gained more experience; he has handled strong teams.
“However, I think he didn’t get the tactics right during the round of 16 match against Tunisia; he could have changed his tactics.
“I think he only needs to work more on his match-reading abilities, and he will be a perfect coach.”
Eguavoen and his assistant Emmanuel Amuneke have the immediate task of securing Nigeria's qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Having made it to the final playoff round, the Super Eagles must overcome bitter rivals Ghana over two legs in March to secure one of Africa's five tickets.
