Former Super Eagles midfielder Duke Udi has urged Augustine Eguavoen, Nigeria’s interim coach, to deliver better results and performances with the national team to avoid criticism.
Eguavoen, in his fourth spell at the helm, recently guided Nigeria to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, the Super Eagles’ lackluster displays in the final two qualifying matches have drawn criticism.
The coach attributed the defeat to Rwanda to the absence of a creative midfielder and admitted the team is still searching for a player capable of unlocking defenses through the middle.
Despite securing qualification, many fans and pundits have expressed concerns about the team’s inconsistent performances, a sentiment echoed by Udi.
Speaking to Brila FM, the former Enyimba International star emphasized the importance of results in football management.
“In football, if a coach is given five years, it all boils down to the results of the 3-5 games he plays. That ‘five years’ is only on paper. Behind the scenes, it might not even last three weeks,” Udi said.
He cited examples from club football, noting how AS Roma has already changed two coaches this season due to poor results. According to Udi, delivering consistent results is the only way for a coach to secure their position.
While acknowledging that Eguavoen’s results are “fair,” Udi criticized the team’s performances, pointing out their inability to maintain possession and execute fluid play.
“AS Roma have changed two coaches this season because of results. The fans have every right to voice their opinions. If you are a coach and don’t want to be criticized, then deliver results. When the team performs well, everyone shares the glory.
“In coaching, once the team is not doing well, the bulk of the blame falls on the head coach. There is no permanent job in this field—it’s all temporary. What makes your job permanent is consistent results.
If we look at Eguavoen’s results, they are fair. But if we look at the performances of the players and as a team, we are not playing anything. In the last game, we couldn’t even make six consecutive passes,” the 48-year-old said.
Eguavoen has called for patience from Nigerian fans, explaining that the limited time available for training during international breaks makes it challenging to fully integrate players into the team’s system.
However, the pressure is mounting for the Super Eagles to deliver not just results but also convincing performances in upcoming fixtures.
