AFCON 2025
Legendary player for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, John Mikel Obi has shared details of a phone discussion he had with Gustavo Poyet about the open Super Eagles coach position.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is apparently considering the former Uruguayan international and Chelsea icon as a replacement for Bruno Labbadia, who was appointed temporarily.
Austin Eguavoen led the Super Eagles as they began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign during the September international window.
Mikel Obi disclosed on his ObiOne Podcast that Poyet contacted him to get his opinion on managing the Super Eagles.
Mikel Obi on Gustavo Poyet
He said, “I spoke with him, he was like, ‘listen, what’s it like managing the Nigeria national team?’ and I gave him my honest opinion.
“Managing Nigeria’s national team is tough. You need to be very patient because things are not going to go as fast as you want it. You need to be patient but things get done.”
The former Super Eagles’ captain who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea underlined the team’s strength and mentioned how many talented players are on the roster, which is a big draw for coaches.
Top players from Nigeria, like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface, are now dominating elite European leagues.
It is not yet unknown if Eguavoen will stay on as Super Eagles coach for Nigeria’s upcoming pivotal doubleheader against Libya in October in another AFCON qualification series.
