Afcon 2021: Nigeria boss Eguavoen feels weight of expectation

Interim coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen admits he’s under pressure as his side challenges for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, but says they will take it “game after game.”

Eguavoen, who won the tournament in 1994 as a player, is looking to guide the Super Eagles to their fourth crown when the competition begins on Sunday in Cameroon.

In the last edition, in 2019, Nigeria claimed Bronze but will now seek to go steps higher this time. Asked if there’s pressure on him to deliver, Eguavoen, who took over from the sacked Gernot Rohr less than a month ago, told NFF TV: “Pressure? Yes.”

“Even if it’s [Jose] Mourinho, even if it’s [Antonio] Conte or [Pep] Guardiola, or Gernot Rohr… the biggest coaches in the world, you can’t say you’re not under pressure,” the Nigerian continued.

“Guardiola is one of the best coaches in the world but he’s not won the Champions League with Manchester City. You can’t say he’s not under pressure. He wants to win it.

“People say they expect Nigeria to win the Afcon – that puts me under some pressure,” the 56-year-old, who led Nigeria to a third-place finish as manager at the 2006 event, said. “But I’ll take it and digest and we’ll take it game after game. It’s not going to be easy because every team here has a point to prove.

“So I’ll say a little bit of pressure but I think I’m more relaxed now than two weeks or a week ago.”

After title-triumphs in 1980, 1994 and 2013, the Super Eagles will try to emerge top of the heap in February.

They open against Egypt in a group stage clash on Tuesday before meetings against Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.