The Super Eagles’ interim coach, Austin Eguavoen, has downplayed the idea of revenge serving as a source of inspiration before the team’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match against Benin on Saturday.
Instead, Eguavoen, the team’s new interim manager, is concentrated on earning as many points as possible in the next games against Benin and Rwanda.
Nigeria lost 2-1 to the Cheetahs in the most recent international window in Abidjan.
The Cheetahs came from a goal down to win 2-1 which was their first-ever victory against Nigeria.
With that loss, the Super Eagles are now without a win in four 2026 World Cup qualifying round games and are second from bottom in Group C.
Eguavoen denies revenge
While Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr is worried about revenge, Eguavoen chose to see the match from a different perspective.
He said, “Starting with the match against Benin Republic on Saturday, nobody is mentioning anything about revenge.
“Our goal is three points, and then we aim for another three points in Kigali on Tuesday that will put us in good stead for qualification.”
This Saturday at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, the Super Eagles will play Benin with Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, September 10, the team in Kigali will play their second match against Rwanda.
Since the 2024 AFCON concluded in the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria fell 2-1 to the hosts in the final, the Super Eagles have been disappointing winning just one of their next four games.
Benin and Rwanda are also in Nigeria’s group for the 2026 World Cup qualifying, therefore these matches are even more important for the Super Eagles.
