Augustine Eguavoen was appointed interim head coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons as the Nigeria Football Federation turned to the experienced coach to lead the team into the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers against Comoros.
The NFF technical director took over from Justine Madugu, who was asked to step down alongside his entire technical crew following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The appointment marked Eguavoen’s first coaching role with Nigeria’s senior women’s team after several spells in charge of the Super Eagles.
Eguavoen’s immediate task was to guide the Falcons through their second-round Olympic qualifying tie against Comoros, with both matches scheduled to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on October 9 and 13.
Eguavoen gets first Super Falcons assignment
The 61-year-old had become one of the NFF’s most experienced options when the federation needed an interim coach.
Eguavoen first took temporary charge of the Super Eagles following Christian Chukwu’s departure after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. He subsequently guided the team to a third-place finish at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
He returned to the national team several times over the years, most recently taking temporary charge in 2024 following Finidi George’s departure.
Eguavoen also led Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after Gernot Rohr’s exit. The Super Eagles won all three of their group matches before losing to Tunisia in the round of 16.
However, his latest assignment presented an entirely different challenge, with the Super Falcons attempting to recover from a major disappointment.
Super Falcons face Comoros test
Nigeria were eliminated from the race for the 2027 Women’s World Cup after losing 2-1 to South Africa in the African playoff following a disappointing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of appearing at the World Cup and eventually led to Madugu and his coaching staff leaving their positions.
The NFF subsequently handed Eguavoen responsibility for the Olympic qualifying campaign while continuing its search for a permanent head coach.
Nigeria received a bye into the second round as one of the three highest-ranked teams in the qualifying competition.
Comoros, meanwhile, reached the stage in remarkable fashion after destroying Sudan 30-0 on aggregate, winning the first leg 17-0 before completing a 13-0 victory in the return fixture.
Eguavoen will therefore need to ensure Nigeria avoid complacency while also rebuilding confidence within the squad.
Eguavoen names experienced coaching staff
Eguavoen will have Christopher Danjuma alongside him as an assistant coach.
The Nasarawa Amazons coach brought significant experience from Nigeria’s women’s football system and previously led the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
Danjuma guided Nigeria into the knockout stages before Japan eliminated the Falconets in the round of 16.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa was appointed goalkeeper coach, while former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf joined the technical team as an assistant.
Yusuf earned 68 international caps during her playing career and represented Nigeria at the 2007 Women’s World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Nigeria target Olympic return
Nigeria returned to the Olympics at Paris 2024 after a 16-year absence and will now need to navigate a lengthy qualifying campaign to reach Los Angeles 2028.
Africa has two qualification places available, meaning the Super Falcons cannot afford another early setback.
If Nigeria overcome Comoros, they will face either Morocco or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the third round between February 23 and March 6, 2027.
The fourth round is scheduled for October 2027, with Tunisia, Senegal, Benin Republic or Mali among the potential opponents.
For Eguavoen, the Comoros tie will provide an immediate opportunity to restore confidence in the Super Falcons and begin rebuilding after the disappointment of missing the World Cup.
