Following the resignation of former coach Jose Peseiro due to the expiration of his contract, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) swiftly appointed Austin Eguavoen as the interim coach for the Super Eagles.
This marks Eguavoen’s fourth stint managing the men’s national team, stepping into the role barely 24 hours after Peseiro’s departure. Eguavoen previously served as the caretaker coach in June 2005, leading the team alongside coaching staff members Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi, and Ike Shorunmu.
During his tenure, Eguavoen guided the national team to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, securing victory over Senegal in the third-place playoff. However, his stint was short-lived as he was sacked in April 2006.
In June 2010, the NFF once again turned to Eguavoen, appointing him as caretaker manager to replace Lars Lagerbäck. Despite this interim role, Eguavoen expressed no desire to pursue the position permanently.
Eguavoen’s coaching experience extends to leading the Nigeria national under-23 football team in August 2010. However, his tenure was marred by the team’s failure to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games, leading to his resignation in December 2011.
Most recently, Eguavoen assumed the interim role for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations following the departure of Gernot Rohr. Despite Nigeria’s exit from the tournament in the round of sixteen, Eguavoen returned to his position as the Technical Director of the team.