“I am praying” – Austin Eguavoen addresses reports of Super Eagles takeover from Eric Chelle

Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, has dismissed as unfounded reports linking him to the Super Eagles’ head coach position amid uncertainty over Eric Chelle’s future, Soccernet.ng reports.

Media reports on Wednesday claimed Eguavoen and U-20 boss Ladan Bosso were being lined up to take over if Eric Chelle failed to secure World Cup qualification.

But Eguavoen has swiftly distanced himself from the speculation, describing it as ‘hurtful' and ‘unhelpful.'

Eguavoen handled the Super Eagles on an interim basis during the last few months in 2024 before Chelle was appointed in January. 

“I feel very hurt by these baseless rumours because I really have no idea where they are coming from,” Eguavoen said in an NFF statement on Thursday.

“I have a very good working relationship with Coach Eric Chelle, and I have absolutely no interest in taking over the squad. I am praying for him to succeed.”

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The former Super Eagles coach stressed the need for unity within Nigeria’s football structure, warning against divisive rumours that could derail the team’s focus ahead of key fixtures.

“This was how the same speculators created schism and disaffection between myself and Gernot Rohr and José Peseiro, when these gentlemen coached the Super Eagles, at different periods. It is uncalled-for,” he said.

“We all need to work together to see the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup and win the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations championship in Morocco.”

Super Eagles face crucial World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria are entering the decisive phase of their World Cup qualifying campaign under Chelle, with back-to-back fixtures against Lesotho and Benin set to determine their fate.

The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C on 11 points, three behind leaders Benin and second-placed South Africa, with just two games left to play.

Only the group winners will earn an automatic ticket to next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, while the runners-up will enter a complex mini-league to fight for one of Africa’s limited play-off slots.

Nigeria received an unexpected boost after FIFA docked South Africa three points for fielding a suspended player in their match against Lesotho. The punishment saw Bafana Bafana drop behind Benin on goal difference, intensifying the battle for qualification.

The race in Group C remains wide open, with five of the six teams — Nigeria, Benin, South Africa, Rwanda, and Lesotho — still mathematically capable of finishing in the top two. Zimbabwe are the only side officially eliminated.

Had South Africa not been penalised, they would have been within touching distance of qualification. Instead, they must now defeat both Zimbabwe and Rwanda to stay in contention.

For Nigeria, the equation is clear: victory over Lesotho on Friday is non-negotiable. Anything less will leave their hopes hanging by a thread before the decisive clash with Benin, which increasingly looks like it will determine who tops the group.

Both Lesotho and Rwanda still harbour slim hopes of advancing, but they would need perfect results, and plenty of luck, to overhaul the heavyweights ahead of them.