Super Eagles Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has stated that his team will win Monday’s game against Rwanda’s Amavubi in the final Group D match of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, despite already qualifying for the tournament .
Speaking during Sunday evening’s pre-match press conference at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Eguavoen said his players know how to handle such games effectively.
With Nigeria’s qualification for the Morocco 2025 AFCON already secured, Eguavoen addressed concerns about maintaining focus against a Rwandan side desperate to win.
“Our boys are 100% professionals, and they know what it takes to win games. They won’t blink for a minute. The same approach we’d use against Brazil or Argentina is the same we’ll use against Rwanda,” Eguavoen stated confidently.
Eguavoen clarified the absence of Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina. He revealed that Lookman was released after reporting a slight injury that limited his capacity to play at 100%, while Nottingham Forest requested Aina’s release which was granted in order to maintain a good relationship with the club.
On Gabriel Osho’s substitution during the Benin Republic match, Eguavoen explained it was a tactical adjustment unrelated to the player’s performance.
“We needed to switch from a back-three to a back-four, and I explained this to Osho, who understood,”
“We didn’t lose any away games. Football has evolved, and teams now prepare well against Nigeria. Earning points away deserves credit,” he said.