Reactions Pour As Eguavoen Denies Attributing Stalemated Result Against Benin Republic To Torrential Rain

By: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR)

Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has refuted a purported claim that he admitted his one all draw against Cheetahs of Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, held at the Felix Houphuet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on torrential rain in Abidjan.

Though, Eagles struggled to get their opponents between their hands on Thursday but the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation said he never blamed it all on the rain.

The former Super Eagles Captain stated this in Nigeria leading Sports WhatsApp group, *Sports World Platform* on Friday while reacting to series of reactions buzzing on the Administrators ridden group. The Edo State born tactician said at no time he made such comment with any journalist

In his response on the group, member of the 1994 African Cup of Nations winners said:

“Good afternoon Honourable members of this esteemed group. I follow and read alot of comments posted by individuals, and I have never responded for once.

I think is time to say something.

“At the post match conference yesterday, no one talked about weather, please ask Modo Victor”

“He was there live.

Now someone is saying Eguavoen blames the rain for the result when we didn’t talk about weather.

Many people are not fair to me.”

“You all have a great day”. He clarified

Super Eagles recorded a one all draw with the Cheetahs after Tijani put the Benin Republic in front with a magical 81st minute header from Victor Osinhen to save Nigeria from another defeat against Benin Republic at the same venue where The Cheetahs had beaten them 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.

However, reactions continue to trail the reaction of the Eagles handler as members of the popular group nearly went berserk with the journalist. While some call for regulation on fake news, some advised Eguavoen to stay focused. Here are few of the reactions:

 

Sunday Okechukwu

“Coach, do your best and leave the rest for God.

Stay focused Nnam.

With God on your side World Cup ticket is ours in Jesus name

 

Pius Idoko

“Coach you have done well for this team and for Nigeria. The least anyone should do now is to pledge their unalloyed support for the progress of the team going forward, if at all they have the good of Nigerian Football in their hearts.

Take your flowers, you have done well coach

 

Barrister Kelechi Nweke

“A pity … That’s how some journalists concocted ‘stories’ of what Coach Finidi said or did not say against Victor Osihmen……. without any shred of evidence

Which prompted Osihmen to embark on a public rant against George Finidi…..his elder brother”.

 

Sunday Agunbiade

“Coach Austin Eguavoen. Big apologies on that Sir. But, sincerely, some journalists erroneously captured it and made it their headline and thus makes it look as if you said it .

Anyway, personally, I had reservations for it as I listened to your post match reactions and could not decipher such comments coming from you ,reason why I declined comments since.

Going forward, I think the what is important is that you have qualified the Super Eagles for the African biggest fiesta with two matches to spare and it has been added to your CV sir.

Criticism in whichever form is always there but saying what a coach did not say is highly unethical and the author should be sanctioned by the authority concerned (SWAN)

Once again, huge apologies to our legendary Coach Austin Cerezo Sir

Tobechukwu (Tobexsports)

 

“A lot of journos deceiving themselves they are journos here, senior man.

Take all comments, criticism, and praises as a tonic for shock absorbers.

Nigerians rarely get satisfied with anything , in victory and qualification, they still seek loopholes and blames.

 

Soar higher

Oladele Gbajumo

People misuse social media. Crazy.”

Nonso Arinzechi

“In as much as many were not happy with the team’s display yesterday (including me) and this is due to the same issues that have been outlined for a very long time in the super Eagles. It’s like it’s never going away. I think the Journalism job in Nigeria needs a proper clean house or Sanitization. The journalism Trade should be Hallowed and built on Facts and not emotions. Please keep your head high Sir but remember there is a lot of work to be Done ahead of the AFCON Proper especially the movements of the players without the ball. I have and will always be ur Supporter.

More Wins. Cheers .”

 

Mohammed Saliu

“I knew it was a lie.

You see, they don’t know what to bank on and spoil his efforts again; even as they try harder, he keeps on moving.

Some Nigerians are funny, a coach that qualifies the Super Eagles team for Afcon before two matches to be played, many are still looking for what to bring him down.

We would destroy our own and praise mediocrity because of skin colour; later, we would be shouting racism, racism, if one of our players is being subjected to racist abuse. Meanwhile, we do worse than that to our brother. Too bad!

 

Kayode

“Cerezo, I appreciate your coming out this time to point out this misinformation. What is more, in spite of your indignation, you use very courteous words yet your message was passed well and heavily. Let me appreciate the fact that in spite of your business schedule, you create time to “follow and read a lot of of comments posted by individuals…” on this platform. I’m aware you just arrived back to Nigeria today, yet you took time to still follow through on this platform. All members of this platform should appreciate this, one by one. You indeed add more credibility to the platform. Having said this, even though i wasn’t there, i believe you really didn’t say so. Even if you have said so, you could be right. Anybody who is versed in football would know that when it rains, the bigger team suffers and at disadvantage more than the underdog. ”

This is a clarion call to all journalists to stop writing fictions. They can go and join Nollywood. May i apologise to Austin Eguavon to please take it as a mistake and continue to have faith in the platform and the project (i.e Nigerian football).

Nigeria and 14 other African countries have sealed their place at the next African cup of Nations in Morocco