Super Eagles Coach Eguavoen Makes Big Remarks on Keshi’s Record Ahead Of AFCON Opener Against Egypt

Super Eagles Coach Eguavoen Makes Big Remarks on Keshi’s Record Ahead Of AFCON Opener Against Egypt

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
In this article:
CAF Africa Cup of Nations logo
CAF AFCON
Africa
  • Austin Eguavoen says he is not desperate to equal late Stephen Keshi’s Africa Cup of Nations record
  • The 56-year-old tactician could become just the third person to win the biggest prize in African football as a player and a coach
  • Nigeria will open their campaign at this year’s AFCON against Egypt in the first game of Group C on Tuesday

Nigeria interim coach Austine Eguavoen has disclosed he is not after the record of former teammate and ex-Super Eagles manager Steven Keshi as Nigeria opens their AFCON campaign on Tuesday, January 11.

Super Eagles Coach Makes Stunning Revelation Ahead Of AFCON Opener Against Egypt
Austine Eguavoen says he wants to leave a lasting legacy with the Super Eagles. Photo by Daniel Beloumou Olomo
Source: Getty Images

Nigeria’s Keshi is just one of two African legends to have won the Africa Cup of Nations both as a player and as a coach.

Steven Keshi first won the AFCON as a player when he captained the Super Eagles to glory in 1994 and was also triumphant as a manager when Nigeria got the better of Burkina Faso in the Final in 2003.

According to The Punch, Keshi equaled Egyptian Mahmoud El Gohary’s record, who won the second edition of the tournament in 1959 as a player, before guiding the Pharaohs to their fourth title in 1998.

Meanwhile Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his indifference to the possibility of him breaking late Stephen Keshi’s record to become the only person alive to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and a coach.

“It’s not about the individual, it’s about the team, it’s about the country,” Eguavoen said in a pre-match conference on Monday.
“I’m not looking at personal glory to say, ‘hey, listen, I want to be the coach alive to have won the Nations Cup as a player and as a coach.’
“I’m looking at what I can do for my country and leave a legacy. It’s not about the individual. It’s a collective thing.”

Eguavoen will take charge when the Super Eagles tackles the Pharaohs of Egypt in the opening fixture in group D on Tuesday January 11 in Garoua, Cameroon.

AFCON 2021: Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac laments over team's profligacy in defeat to Morocco

Earlier Sportsbrief had reported Head coach of Ghana, Milovan Rajevac has finally reacted to the Black Stars' defeat to the Atlas Lions of Morocco in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The four times African champions had a false start to the tournament after an 83rd minute strike from Sofiane Boufal handed Morocco all three points at the expense of Ghana.

In the post-match press conference, the Serbian trainer insisted the Black Stars were unlucky to lose to the game.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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