The NFF confirmed the appointment on September 8, 2026, with Eguavoen set to lead Nigeria’s senior women’s national team while the federation continues its search for a substantive head coach.
Eguavoen, popularly known as “Cerezo,” brings considerable international experience to the Super Falcons after previously managing the Super Eagles on several occasions.
Eguavoen as Super Falcons manager
The NFF has officially appointed Augustine Eguavoen as interim Super Falcons manager, giving the experienced Nigerian coach responsibility for the team’s opening 2028 Olympic qualifying fixtures.
The appointment comes as Nigeria prepares for a crucial two-legged encounter against Comoros.
The NFF said Eguavoen’s appointment is temporary, with the search for a permanent head coach continuing. His immediate task will be to guide the Super Falcons through their October Olympic qualifiers.
The decision marks another return to international management for Eguavoen, who has previously held several important technical positions in Nigerian football.
For the Super Falcons, however, this will be a new assignment for the former Super Eagles coach.
Eguavoen’s Experience With Nigeria
Eguavoen has extensive experience managing Nigeria at senior international level.
One of his most notable achievements came at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, when he guided the Super Eagles to a bronze-medal finish in Egypt.
His experience with the national team should be valuable as Nigeria begins another important qualification campaign.
The Super Falcons are among Africa’s most successful women’s national teams and have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on 10 occasions.
Eguavoen will now have the responsibility of helping the team maintain that high standard while attempting to secure another appearance at the Olympic Games.
Super Falcons Face Comoros in October
The Super Falcons will face Comoros in the second round of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers. Both legs of the tie will be played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. The first leg is scheduled for October 9, 2026, while the return fixture will take place on October 13, 2026.
Nigeria received a bye into the second round because the Super Falcons were among the three highest-ranked teams in the qualifying competition.
Comoros, meanwhile, advanced to the second round after defeating Sudan 30-0 on aggregate in the previous stage.
The two matches will therefore provide Eguavoen with his first major assignment as interim Super Falcons manager.
Nigeria will be expected to progress, but Eguavoen will still need to ensure the team is properly organised for both matches.
Eguavoen’s Technical Team
Eguavoen will not work alone. The NFF has confirmed a technical team featuring several coaches with experience in Nigerian women’s football.
Christopher Danjuma, the current head coach of Nasarawa Amazons, will assist Eguavoen. Danjuma has previously worked with Nigeria’s women’s national teams and led the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa will serve as goalkeeper trainer.
Former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf has also been appointed as an assistant coach. Yusuf earned 68 international caps for Nigeria and represented the country at four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, three FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2008 Olympic Games.
The combination gives Eguavoen an experienced support team ahead of the October fixtures.
Nigeria’s Road to the 2028 Olympics
Nigeria’s Olympic qualification journey will be a long one.
The Super Falcons must navigate four rounds of two-legged knockout ties to secure one of Africa’s two available places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
If Nigeria defeats Comoros, the team will advance to the third round, scheduled for February 23 to March 6, 2027.
At that stage, Nigeria will face either the Democratic Republic of Congo or Morocco.
The fourth round is scheduled for October 2027, while the final qualifying round will take place between November 23 and December 4, 2027.
That means Eguavoen’s initial assignment could become the beginning of a much longer Olympic qualification campaign if Nigeria progresses.
What Eguavoen Must Achieve
The immediate objective for the Eguavoen Super Falcons is clear: defeat Comoros and move into the next round. The experienced coach will also be expected to help bring stability to the team during the NFF’s search for a permanent manager.
With the first leg taking place on October 9, preparations will need to begin quickly.
For Nigerian football supporters, the appointment provides an experienced figure to lead the Super Falcons into an important qualification campaign.
The October double-header will offer the first indication of how Eguavoen intends to approach his temporary role and whether Nigeria can take a major step towards another Olympic appearance.
The NFF remains committed to finding a substantive head coach, but for now, Eguavoen is the man entrusted with keeping Nigeria’s Olympic dream alive.
