Augustine Eguavoen names assistants for AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda

By Asuquo

Posted on September 2, 2024

Interim Super Eagles manager Augustine Eguavoen has enlisted the help of Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede to assist him in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

In an official statement released on Monday, Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), confirmed the appointments of the two coaches. Ilechukwu, who currently manages Enugu Rangers, and Ogunmodede of Remo Stars, will join Eguavoen’s coaching staff for these crucial fixtures.

“Ilechukwu led the Flying Antelopes to triumph in Nigeria’s elite division last season, with Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars finishing in second place,” Olajire noted, emphasising the pedigree and experience the two coaches bring to the national team setup.

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The coaching team will also be bolstered by Tomaz Zorec, a fitness trainer from Slovenia, goalkeeper coach Olatunji Baruwa, and match analyst Eboboritse Uwejamomere, who will all be joining the Super Eagles camp in Uyo.

The Super Eagles squad, along with the coaching staff, are expected to arrive in Uyo on Monday to begin preparations for their first qualifying match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, scheduled for Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. The match is set to kick off at 5 p.m.

Following the match in Uyo, the team will travel to Kigali on Sunday for their second qualifying fixture against the Bees of Rwanda. That match is slated for Tuesday at the Amahoro Stadium, with a kickoff time of 2 p.m.

These two matches are critical for Nigeria’s quest to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, and the addition of Ilechukwu and Ogunmodede is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the Super Eagles’ technical bench. With the stakes high, Eguavoen and his team will be keen to start the qualifiers on a strong note, aiming for maximum points in both encounters.