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All you need to know about what Augustine Eguavoen could do as Super Eagles interim boss in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
As Augustine Eguavoen prepares to lead the Super Eagles into the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, Nigerian football fans are keen to see what tactical approach the interim manager will employ.
Despite the time constraints following his unexpected appointment, Eguavoen's football philosophy offers insights into what we might expect on the pitch.
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09:32 - 06.09.2024
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Entertaining Football with a Purpose
Eguavoen is known for his preference for entertaining football, which aligns well with the expectations of Nigerian fans.
After the recent matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA WCQ, Super Eagles fans want to enjoy watching the team again.
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However, this isn't just about flair; it's about effective, purposeful play that will yield the results Nigerians expect in both matches against Benin and Rwanda.
High Pressing and Possession
One of the hallmarks of Eguavoen's style is high pressing, a tactic that could prove crucial in disrupting opponents' build-up play.
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This aggressive approach is complemented by a focus on possession football, allowing the Super Eagles to control the tempo of the game.
Eguavoen could like up the team in a 4-3-3 /4-1-4-1 used in the infamous 1-1 draw against Ghana on the road to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Abuja.
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Vertical Passing and Risk-Taking
Expect to see the Super Eagles playing more direct, vertical passes under Eguavoen than was the case under Finidi George.
This forward-thinking approach aims to create quick attacking opportunities and catch opponents off guard.
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The manager's encouragement of risk-taking could lead to more dynamic and unpredictable play from Nigeria, and with forwards like Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon, Nigerians may have goals to celebrate.
Multifunctional Players and Unit Cohesion
Eguavoen values versatility in his squad, preferring players who can adapt to multiple roles.
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This flexibility could be key in the upcoming qualifiers, allowing for tactical adjustments during matches.
Furthermore, his emphasis on the team defending and attacking as a unit should foster a more cohesive performance on both ends of the pitch.
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Guardiola Influence
Interestingly, Eguavoen has cited Pep Guardiola's style as an influence on his tactical approach.
While it's unrealistic to expect a carbon copy of Manchester City's play, we might see elements of Guardiola's philosophy in Nigeria's positioning, ball circulation, and positional interchanges.
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Adapting to Time Constraints
The sudden nature of Eguavoen's appointment, following the no-show of German coach Bruno Labbadia, means he'll need to implement his tactics quickly.
This might result in a simplified version of his preferred style, focusing on key principles that can be rapidly assimilated by the squad before the first match on Saturday.
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But while time constraints may limit the full implementation of his philosophy, fans can expect to see a Super Eagles side that would try to control games through possession, press aggressively, and attack with purpose.
The success of these tactics could set the tone for Nigeria's AFCON 2025 campaign and potentially secure Eguavoen's position beyond his interim status.
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