SAN FRANCISCO, November 12, (THEWILL) – Austin Eguavoen, the new Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will be unveiled in Benin before the Super Eagles African Cup of Nations (AFCON) first leg qualifier against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The ex-Super Eagles captain and coach revealed that he has been discussing with the Federation about matters related his job schedule and added that he will formally assume his official duties after his presentation to Nigerian football family in Benin.
The 55-year-old Edo-born coach declared his readiness to work with progressive-minded patriots in his desire to lift the country’s football. As a result, he was prepared to entertain suggestions, advice and proposals from people interested in developing the country’s football.
Eguaveon, who was a former captain of the defunct ACB Football Club, showed a clear understanding of the fact that improving the structure of football across the federation requires inputs from positive minds that share the same focus of ensuring that Nigeria’s football regains its lost glory.
“I have been discussing with the NFF on the way forward since my announcement as the NFF Technical Director and our talks have been positive.
“My role as the Technical Director is to discover talents from the grassroots, urban regions and focus on how talented NPFL players can be turned into national team stars.
The technical director promised to operate a cordial working relationship with coaches of all the national teams and not to unduly interfere in their duties. He also enjoined the support of Nigerians towards this development process.
“Holding seminars and interacting with national team coaches without interfering in their jobs would be part of my duties.
“One thing I want to emphasise is that I applied for the Technical Director’s job and got it by merit. My decision to turn down the Mali job and work to improve Nigeria’s football is based on my patriotic zeal to serve my fatherland.
“The members of the committee that will work with me are professionals and I am comfortable working with them. Notwithstanding this fact, my target is to also have an open door policy where every stakeholder in football is free to bring quality ideas that will improve the standard of Nigeria’s football,” he said.
Recalling his time as a younger player for the national side, Eguavoen picked Augustine JJ Okocha as the best Super Eagles player he ever played with.
“All the players that were with me in the Super Eagles were great players. But one outstanding player that I will not forget is Okocha.
“In fact, Okocha’s dribbling skills brought out the best in me as a defender. Whenever we are in training during international duty, I and Taribo West always liked confronting him when he is with the ball… whenever you get Okocha’s tricks on a particular move, he will come up with another skill to displace you as a defender.
“Playing with Okocha helped to improve my skills playing for the national team as well as my clubs.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
