Former Nigerian international Taribo West has shared his candid thoughts on Augustine Eguavoen’s tenure as interim coach of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
Eguavoen, who has led Nigeria’s national team on four separate occasions, has shown flashes of brilliance, but according to West, there’s one element missing from his coaching approach: grace.
Eguavoen recently oversaw Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Benin and a 0-0 draw against Rwanda in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, stepping in while the search for a permanent head coach continues.
Despite leading Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2006 AFCON and winning all three group-stage games at the 2021 AFCON, Eguavoen’s tenure has often been defined by missed opportunities, such as Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on Brila FM’s “No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze,” West praised Eguavoen’s ability to evoke nostalgia in the Super Eagles’ playing style.
“Anytime Eguavoen leads the team, he brings a certain touch, taking the team back to those glorious days,” West observed.
However, West, who played for AC Milan and Inter Milan during a distinguished career, identified a recurring issue during crucial moments.
“In major tournaments, where you expect them to cross the line, something always happens,” he explained. “What Eguavoen is lacking is only grace.”
While West acknowledged that Eguavoen’s tactical approach often brings out the best in the Super Eagles players, he stressed that results haven’t consistently followed.
“The team will play well, but the results won’t favour them,” said West, who turned to full-time pastoral ministry after his football career. “I don’t see why we go for foreign coaches when we can invest more in our local coaches.”
For now, the Nigerian Football Federation has confirmed that Eguavoen will remain in charge for Nigeria’s upcoming AFCON qualifying doubleheader against Libya in October.
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