Taribo appraises Eguavoen, says he’s technically gifted but lacks grace

Taribo while speaking recently noted that Eguavoen’s “team will play well, but the results won’t favour them.”

By Kehinde Okeowo

Former Nigerian defender, Taribo West has identified what is preventing Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen from achieving success with the Super Eagles.

According to him, Eguavoen possesses the technical quantities required to coach the Nigerian team but lacked grace

NFF recently appointed Eguavoen as the interim coach of the senior men’s national team after the deal with German coach, Bruno Labbadia, failed to materialize.

The appointment is the 59-year-old’s fourth stint in charge of the Super Eagles, having previously managed the dugout from 2005 to 2007, in 2010, and again in 2022.

In his first stint, Eguavoen led the team to third place at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and despite winning all three group games at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, the team crashed out of the tournament in the round of 16 following a narrow defeat to Tunisia.

Eguavoen’s tenure has often been defined by near misses. Under his watch, the Eagles narrowly failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after crashing out on goal aggregate to Ghana.

ALSO READ: Jorginho warns Arsenal teammates ahead of Atalanta clash

However, in his fourth and current spell, the team has started their 2025 AFCON qualifiers on a bright note, claiming four points from a possible six and sitting in top of their group.

But Taribo believes there is an element missing from Eguavoen’s coaching approach.

Speaking on Brila FM’s ‘No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze’, Taribo, who is the founder of the Shelter in The Storm Miracle Ministry, said, “Anytime Eguavoen leads the team, he brings a certain touch, taking the team back to those glorious days.

“In major tournaments, where you expect them to cross the line, something always happens. What Eguavoen is lacking is only grace.”

While West acknowledged that Eguavoen’s tactical approach often brings out the best in the players, he stressed that results haven’t consistently followed.

“The team will play well, but the results won’t favour them,” said West.

He added, “I don’t see why we go for foreign coaches when we can invest more in our local coaches.”