Eguavoen pledges loyalty to incoming Super Eagles boss Jose Poseiro ahead of World Cup play-off

OUTGOING Super Eagles interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has declared that he and all the members of his team will back the incoming head coach Jose Poseiro as he assumes duty ahead of a two legged World Cup play-off against Ghana.

Mr Eguavoen, the Nigerian Football Federation's (NFF) technical director, took temporary charge of the team during the recent African Cup of Nations following last month's sacking of head coach Gernot Rohr. Portuguese coach Poseiro has since been appointed as the new head coach and is waiting to sign his contract and assume duties.

With Nigeria dumped out of the ongoing African Cup of Nations, the attention has now focused on the World Cup play-off against Ghana in March. Mr Poseiro is expected to begin preparations for the tie immediately and Mr Eguavoen, who returns to his old rile, has said the NFF will back him all the way.

Mr Eguavoen said: “We have to sit down together and map out strategies. We need to give him the platform and we have already prepared the team by 80% to 90%.

“He just has to add his own style and leadership. We would support him with everything because the country comes first.”

So far, however, Mr Poseiro is yet to sign his contract, which is delaying matters and the development is said to be causing some tension. It appears that certain vested interests within the NFF want Eguavoen to continue as coach despite having an agreement with Mr Poseiro and it being explicitly clear that he would take over the management of the team after the African Cup of Nations.