The Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Austin Eguavoen, has urged the Super Eagles to stay fully focused as they prepare for what he described as a difficult Group L in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Nigeria were drawn alongside co-hosts Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau during Tuesday’s draw held at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo.
The 48 participating nations were placed into 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two from every group securing qualification for the tournament scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Speaking with NAN on Thursday in Abuja, Eguavoen dismissed suggestions that the Super Eagles had been handed an easy route to qualification.
“A lot of people think it’s an easy group, but I don’t think so.
“However, considering our pedigree and our performance at the last AFCON, where we did brilliantly well, I believe we can scale through.
“We just have to approach it one game at a time,” he said.
Eguavoen, who previously handled the Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, recalled the challenging nature of past meetings with the West African side.
“I remember Guinea-Bissau gave us a run for our money. They are not a bad side at all.
“When Jose Peseiro was in charge, it was also a very tight game, although we eventually overcame them,” he said.
The former Nigeria international also cautioned against underestimating both Madagascar and Tanzania.
Madagascar, he noted, has developed significantly in recent years and remains a dangerous opponent.
“Tanzania will also be stubborn opponents. We met them at the last AFCON, and they were tough in the first 15 to 20 minutes before we eventually came out on top.
“I still believe we will qualify, but it is going to be a very tough group,” he said.
NAN also reports that Eguavoen currently serves as NFF Technical Director while also acting as senior adviser to Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.
The agency adds that the 2027 AFCON, tagged “PAMOJA 2027”, is derived from a Swahili word meaning “together” and symbolises regional unity and cooperation.
The tournament will be the first AFCON hosted by three countries and the first staged in East Africa since 1976.
NAN further recalled that Nigeria defeated Madagascar home and away during the qualifiers for the 2012 AFCON, while in the build-up to the 2023 edition, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau traded victories in their respective home fixtures.
