Ex-Gent star tipped to lead Super Eagles against Benin and Rwanda, despite Andersson and Ilechukwu’s prospects

Former KAA Gent defender Augustine Eguavoen has been linked with a return to the Super Eagles’ dugout as Nigeria gears up for their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles are set to face off against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda in September, kicking off their AFCON qualification campaign.

However, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) finds itself in a shaky position, with the national team currently without a head coach following the resignation of Finidi George, who stepped down after a brief and rough tenure.

As the NFF scrambles to secure a permanent coach to spearhead Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup and 2025 AFCON campaigns, Eguavoen—who serves as the current NFF Technical Director—has emerged as the leading candidate to temporarily guide the Super Eagles through their upcoming fixtures.

While the NFF has yet to officially confirm these reports, Eguavoen’s experience and familiarity with the team make him a strong contender for the interim role.

Adding another layer of complexity to the coaching situation are ongoing speculations linking Swedish tactician Janne Andersson and Enugu Rangers’ championship-winning coach Fidelis Ilechukwu to the Super Eagles’ coaching setup.

Andersson, the former head coach of the Swedish national team, is reportedly being considered for the head coach position, while Ilechukwu is rumoured to be in line for the assistant coach role.

However, with time running short before the crucial qualifiers, it is unlikely that Andersson and Ilechukwu will be in place to take charge for the Benin and Rwanda clashes. Should they be appointed, their tenures are expected to begin after these fixtures.

Eguavoen is no stranger to stepping into the breach for the Super Eagles. He previously took the reins on a caretaker basis during the 2021 AFCON tournament, following the dismissal of former head coach Gernot Rohr.

Eguavoen led the team to the tournament before handing over the managerial duties to José Peseiro. This scenario could well repeat itself, with Eguavoen once again called upon to lead the national team in a critical juncture.

The NFF’s decision in the coming days will be crucial, as the Super Eagles look to make a strong start to their AFCON qualification campaign and build momentum towards the 2026 World Cup.