Sports

Nigeria’s Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen steps down after embarrassing World Cup miss

Published

3 years ago

March 31, 2022

In the wake of the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a 1-1 scoreline with the Black Stars of Ghana on Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that “erstwhile Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down from that position with immediate effect”.

NFF disengages Super Eagles’ Technical Crew https://t.co/bmA88niYc2

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) March 31, 2022

The football body said it has “withdrawn the two-and-a-half-year contract offered to the coaches and terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the team with immediate effect”

Other members of the crew are Salisu Yusuf (Chief Coach); Paul Aigbogun (Assistant Coach); Joseph Yobo (Assistant Coach); Terry Eguaoje (Assistant Coach) and Aloysius Agu (Goalkeeper Trainer).

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the appointment of Augustine Eguavoen as the new Technical Adviser on an interim basis in December 2021 following the termination of the relationship with Franco-German Gernot Rohr.

The NFF also revealed that a “new crew will be announced after a proper review to lead the new charge of reinvigorating the Super Eagles to face future challenges appropriately”.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on behalf of the body. thanked “the coaches and team officials for their service to the nation and wish them success in their future endeavors,” said

Nigeria failed to qualify for a seventh World Cup after it played 1: 1 draw with West African arch-rival Ghana. The Black Stars of Ghana had held the three-time African champions to a goalless draw in Kumasi on Friday, March 25, as their away goal in Abuja meant they advanced to Qatar.

Click to comment

Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

23 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).

Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

3 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.