Augustine Eguavoen Defends Super Eagles Players After AFCON Exit, Cautions Fans Against Abuse

• Austin Eguavoen is unhappy with how the fans treated Maduka Okoye and Alex Iwobi after Nigeria’s elimination from the 2021 African Cup of Nations
• Okoye and Iwobi were subjected to abuses from angry fans after Super Eagles suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in the AFCON Round of 16
• Eguavoen returned to his technical director role after Nigeria’s exit from the AFCON as the Nigeria Football Federation ponders on a final decision of a permanent coach

Augustine Eguavoen has frown at the treatment meted out to Super Eagles players Maduka Okoye and Alex Iwobi after Nigeria crashed out of the AFCON in the Round of 16.

Nigerians reacted angrily to the Super Eagles ouster by Tunisia with many taking to social media to attack players of the team especially goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Alex Iwobi.

According to a report via Complete Sports, Augustine Eguavoen who coached the Super Eagles at the 2021 AFCON has now defended both players while cautioning fans on player’s abuse.

Stunning video of Nigerian fans attacking coach Eguavoen after 1-0 loss to Tunisia emerges

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“People need to act responsibly and not turn their disappointments into hate speech and threats against some players,”

“These players gave their everything and there is no way you can single them out for blame. Playing for Nigeria comes with a lot of pressure, but you cannot bully, threaten or abuse someone for defending the honour of the country because you have access to social media. This is wrong and irresponsible.”

AFCON exit a bitter pill to swallow

Meanwhile, Augustine Eguavoen has described Nigeria’s early AFCON exit as a bitter pill to swallow after witnessing the Super Eagles quest for a fourth continental trophy come to an abrupt end.

In an interview captured by Brila, the NFF Technical Director described the Super Eagles elimination as a sad moment in Nigerian football.

The 1994 AFCON winner advised players of the national team to put the sad event behind them as stay focused on the next challenge ahead.

Tunisian players mock Super Eagles as they sing, dance to music of top Nigerian singer after AFCON win

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Rohr Makes Stunning Statement on Super Eagles Campaign at 2021 AFCON

Earlier Sports Brief reported Gernot Rohr has explained that he was impressed with Taiwo Awoniyi's performances at the 2021 African Cup of Nations even though the striker only scored a goal at the tournament.

The German who was dismissed days to the start of the 2021 AFCON by the Nigerian Football Federation claimed that lack of coordination made Taiwo Awoniyi not to shine.

Following the injury Victor Osimhen suffered coupled with the fact that Odion Ighalo was not released, luck to be Super Eagles' front-man at AFCON 2021 fell on Taiwo Awoniyi.