The turmoil that enveloped the Super Eagles after they reached the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations will perhaps be banished on Saturday when they play Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in group D of the 2024 AFCON qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will travel to Kigali Tuesday to keep a date with Rwanda in the other tie.
Austin Eguavoen the coach who failed to get the team beyond the round of 16 in Cameroon 2021 AFCON and also failed to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2022 World Cup, is back in the saddle after the Nigeria Football Federation’s gamble with George Finidi backfired. The NFF also failed to sign on German coach Bruno Labbadia after much hype about getting a foreign coach.
How the Super Eagles will fare against the Cheetahs remain a source of worry for Nigerian football fans who had seen their team become soulless after the heartwarming performance at the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Cheetahs beat the Super Eagles 2-1 in Abidjan, this humbling came after lack lustre games against South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe in group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles with three points from four matches are second from the bottom spot.
“Starting with the match against Benin Republic on Saturday, 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,” said coach Eguaveon.
“Our objective is clear: to pick the six points in both matches. The players know this and are committed to accomplishing this. We have spoken to them and all of us are on the same page.”
