By Kayode John
Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has described the narrow 1-0 win over Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Uyo on Friday as a relief for him and his players.
The Libyans deployed defensive and time-wasting tactics in the game to the frustration of Nigerian players, coaches and fans at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, but substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored the only goal of the game in the 86th minute.
“It’s a huge win for me and the boys obviously. Three points was important and we got it, I wanted us to score more goals but for some reasons, we did not get to find the back of the net early enough because of the tactics the Libyans deployed,” Eguavoen said at his post-match press conference.
“But overall, we are very happy three points and still maintain the top position in our group.”
Eguavoen has now recorded 15 wins, six defeats and four draws in 25 matches in charge of the Super Eagles in four spells.
He was drafted to handle the senior national team as caretaker coach back in September, after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) failed in the bid to bring in Bruno Labbadia as a replacement for Finidi George.
Nigeria remain on top of Group D in the AFCON qualifiers on seven points from three matches. The three-time African champions will travel for the return leg of the fixture against the Mediterranean Knights in Benghazi on next Tuesday.
