Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has suggested that the tragic news of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s father’s death ”in a way” affected the team’s performance in their disappointing loss to Rwanda.
The Nigerian national team were without Nwabali, who was excused from the game to mourn the passing of his father, who had passed away last week, with Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye filling in for the disheartened Super Eagles number 1.
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What Eguavoen said
In his post-match presser, Eguavoen acknowledged that the players may have been impacted emotionally by the news of Nwabali’s father’s death, potentially influencing the outcome of the match.
When asked about how the heartbreaking news affected the team’s performance, Eguavoen admitted that players are always affected by such personal tragedies.
”In a way, I think yes. But I think any player that is invited among the squad is capable of playing,” the 59-year-old gaffer said, as quoted by Soccernet.
He also underlined that every member of the team is given the chance to demonstrate their skills and support the team’s endeavors, saying,
“So, people need to get their chance, they got their chance today but unfortunately, we fought for it but it wasn’t to be.”
Super Eagles World Cup qualification hopes
While the loss was inconsequential for the Super Eagles, who had already secured their qualification to the 2025 AFCON, it further casts doubts on their abilities to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria would face Rwanda in March in the World Cup qualification game, and a win on Monday could have served as a huge boost for the game.
The Super Eagles are yet to secure a win in the World Cup qualifiers round, having drawn three games and losing one out of four, leaving them in fifth place, four points behind group leaders Rwanda.
They must win the remaining fixtures of the competition if they habour any hopes of qualification.
