Eguavoen Steps In to Lead Super Falcons’ 2028 Olympic Qualifying Bid

The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Augustine “Cerezo” Eguavoen as interim head coach of the Super Falcons, tasking him with steering the women’s national team through Olympic qualifying matches against Comoros next month while a search for a substantive coach continues.

The NFF announced the appointment this week, describing Eguavoen as bringing “extensive experience” to the role, citing his background managing at the highest level of international football.

Eguavoen previously served as head coach of the men’s Super Eagles, a spell during which he guided the team to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

His immediate assignment is Nigeria’s two-legged Olympic qualifying tie against Comoros, scheduled for October 9 and 13, 2026, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. The winner will move closer to one of two African qualifying slots for the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Comoros advanced to this stage after thrashing Sudan 30-0 on aggregate in an earlier round, a result that has drawn attention to the format of the qualifying series but does not by itself indicate how the tie against Nigeria will unfold.

Eguavoen’s interim technical crew includes Christopher Danjuma, who recently coached the Nasarawa Amazons and has worked with the Falconets, former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf, who won 68 caps for Nigeria and featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa.

The NFF has not named who previously held the substantive Super Falcons coaching position or explained the circumstances behind the current vacancy, saying only that the interim arrangement will remain in place “while the search for a substantive head coach continues.”

Nigerian football followers, including in Oyo State, will be watching closely to see whether Eguavoen’s interim spell extends beyond the Comoros ties depending on results.