With Nigeria’s Super Eagles set to face Libya in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, former Nigerian football star Segun Odegbami has suggested a strategic coaching partnership between Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia. Odegbami believes that, given Eguavoen’s current role as head of the Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, it is imperative to reinforce the national team’s leadership.
Odegbami praised Siasia’s coaching credentials, noting his success with Nigerian youth teams and his rise through the ranks to coach the Super Eagles. He argued that Siasia’s recent return after serving a FIFA suspension presents an opportunity for him to rejoin Nigerian football at a crucial time.
Odegbami highlighted the need for Nigerian coaches to take charge of the national team, a view he has held since his time with the team in the 1990s. He emphasized that Nigerian football can no longer rely on foreign coaches and must nurture homegrown talent like Siasia and Eguavoen to guide the Super Eagles to future success.
Editorial
We wholeheartedly support Segun Odegbami’s call for a partnership between Samson Siasia and Augustine Eguavoen to lead the Super Eagles. Nigerian football is at a critical juncture, and bringing together two of the nation’s most experienced coaches could be the catalyst for turning the team’s fortunes around.
Siasia’s experience with youth teams and his past successes at international tournaments make him an excellent choice to complement Eguavoen’s leadership. Their combined knowledge, deep understanding of Nigerian football, and ability to inspire players could lead to a revitalization of the Super Eagles.
The call to prioritize local coaches is not only about national pride but about building a sustainable future for Nigerian football. Foreign coaches may offer short-term solutions, but they often lack the long-term commitment and understanding of Nigeria’s football culture. By investing in coaches like Siasia and Eguavoen, Nigeria has the chance to create a coaching legacy that aligns with the nation’s football identity.
We feel that this partnership could create the perfect blend of experience, tactical knowledge, and player management to help Nigeria regain its place as a football powerhouse in Africa and beyond.
Did You Know?
- Samson Siasia led Nigeria’s Under 23 team to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Stephen Keshi, one of Siasia’s contemporaries, became the first Nigerian coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.
- Augustine Eguavoen has had several stints as coach of the Super Eagles, including leading them to third place in the 2006 AFCON.
- Samson Siasia holds the distinction of being one of the few Nigerian coaches to have managed both the senior and youth national teams.
- The 1994 Super Eagles squad, which Siasia and Eguavoen were part of, is considered one of Nigeria’s greatest football teams, winning the AFCON and reaching the World Cup knockout stage.
