Interim Super Falcons head coach Augustine Eguavoen says coaching Nigeria’s senior women’s national team is a privilege and blessing ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifiers against Comoros, www.aclsports.com reports.
“I would say it’s a privilege and a blessing to be Super Falcons coach today. Everybody that is privileged to coach the Super Falcons today should be proud, because this is a team who have dominated Africa and also stand with their feet when it comes to the World Cup proper, the Olympics as well. It’s a wonderful experience for me, so I count myself as lucky.”
The former Super Eagles coach acknowledged that the transition to the women’s national team requires a different approach but praised the players for helping him settle in.
“It is a different approach, a different environment. But I am surrounded with a lot of men and women that have been in women’s football before now, and then the players as well. They’ve made me really settle down. They told me, ‘Don’t worry about it. You’re welcome to the fold. We’ll give you our best,’ and I trust them.”
Eguavoen backed his attacking options and warned Comoros that the Falcons will be determined to make their home advantage count.
“I think we have prolific strikers, Monday, Kanu, Omewa, Nkor. But the bottom line is we are home. Nobody comes to this country and should survive. But even at that, we play them with a lot of respect, because they need to be respected.”
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade believes the Falcons must start with a win against Comoros, while the absences provide an opportunity for other players to step up.
“It’s important that we start well by winning. It’s very difficult, but we’re taking it one step at a time, one game at a time. We have a talent pool as a nation, so it’s an opportunity for other players to grow, evolve and show that they fit in that space. Though we do miss them, it’s also an opportunity for all of us to grow and evolve. So everyone is important.”
The first leg is scheduled for Friday, October 9, at 6pm WAT at the Remo Stars Sports Stadium in Ikenne.
Image: Ademola Victor
