Meet Augustine Eguavoen, Super Eagles New Coach

Augustine Eguavoen is a former professional footballer and manager. He was recently appointed the temporary Manager of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team.

He had previously served in the interim capacity in 2010, was also the coach of the team that won a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Childhood and Education

Augustine Owen Eguavoen was born on the 19th of August 1965 in Benin City, Edo State before moving to Sapele in Delta State, where his love for football began.

Back then Augustine accompanies his brother Monday Eguavoen, who also played for the Nigeria National team to training grounds where he was signed into a local team in the National League by local football scouts.

Football Career

Nigerian Augustine Eguavoen (2) heads the ball during the World Cup second round match against Italy at Foxboro Stadium on July 5, 1994. AFP PHOTO OMAR TORRES (Photo credit should read OMAR TORRES/AFP via Getty Images)

Augustine began his football career, NNPC, in 1984  playing the National League, he was later signed by Bendel Insurance, another local team in the National League in 1985  before joining ACB in 1986.

His impressive performance at ACB gained him a move to Gent, a top European club in the Belgian League  He went on to play for K.V. Kortrijk, CD Ourense, Sacramento Scorpions, Torpedo Moscow and finished his career in Malta with Sliema Wanderers.

Aside from his incredible performance in various leagues around the World, Augustine was also a member of the Nigeria national team squad that qualified for the country’s first-ever World Cup in 1994, and won the African Nations Cup in the same year.

Managing Career

Augustine Eguavoen began his managing career as the coach of Sliema Wanderers in Malta, he was given the job for the 2000–01 season and guided the club to a second-place finish.

He was appointed the caretaker coach of the Nigeria national team in June 2005 before moving to South Africa, to take over Premier Soccer League side Black Leopards in March 2008.

In 2009 he left the Black leopards to coach   Enyimba International F.C in Aba. where he led the team to a 3rd-place finish in the league and won the Federation Cup.

In June 2010, the Nigeria Football Federation asked Augustine Eguavoen to replace Lars Lagerbäck temporary, he was however appointed as the head coach of the Nigeria national under-23 football team in August 2010.

He was expected to qualify the team for the 2012 London Olympic Games, but they were knocked out in the group stage. On 5 December 2011, he resigned from his job following the failure to secure the Olympics ticket.

Prior to his recent appointment as the Interim Manager of the Super Eagle,  Augustine has managed several local teams in the National League such as Sharks F.C, COD United, Bendel Insurance, Gombe United and the Sunshine Stars F.C.

With his years of experience as a footballer and manager, He is expected to deliver something to tangible for the Nigerian National Team in the coming AFCON