Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has admitted that he and his players are under pressure to beat Benin Republic on Saturday, but stressed that they are thinking only of victory.
Heading into the game at home in Uyo, which will kick start the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Nigeria, sports247.ng was present at the pre-match media conference, during which ‘Egu’ revealed his plans for the encounter.
“It’s a new journey,” said the Super Eagles’ former defender and captain, “We are stepping up our preparations towards the Nations Cup qualifiers.
“It’s our first game, and we are thinking nothing short of winning. Three points are crucial, and that’s what we are aiming at.”
The member of Nigeria’s 1994 Nations Cup winning team and the country’s maiden World Cup squad the same year, now in his fourth tenure as Eagles’ coach, further spoke about the steps he has taken to take pressure off his players.
“This thing comes with pressure and, because we in Nigeria have placed ourselves so high, any team that wants to play against us comes with everything they can get.
“Because Nigerians love the game, it’s nothing but winning that they always think about.
“That’s where pressure comes from, but we are equal to the task. Definitely, we are relaxed,” the one fondly called ‘Cerezo’ during his playing days assured.
He concluded with a hint that an expected partisan atmosphere at The Nest of Champions, Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, will equally swing Saturday’s match in Nigeria’s favour.
“The mood is good, and we are at home. Nobody comes to our home and dictates what will happen to us. We are under pressure, but we are relaxed,” Eguavoen posited.
Saturday’s game will begin at 5pm Nigeria time, with the Super Eagles aiming to exert revenge on the same team that beat them 2-1 on June 10 during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
