Posted by By Osasu Obayiuwana, BBC Sports on
Austin Eguavoen, the man appointed to take charge of Nigeria's Super Eagles, has said he is stunned by the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
Austin Eguavoen, the man appointed to take charge of Nigeria's Super Eagles, has said he is stunned by the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
Eguavoen, previously the assistant coach to Christian Chukwu, who was suspended as manager on Tuesday, told BBC Sport he is yet to have proper talks with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to finalise the appointment.
"On Tuesday, I received a call from the NFA Chairman to tell me of the appointment before leaving for [the World Youth Championship in] Holland," he told BBC Sport from Benin, in Nigeria's Edo State.
The former defender, who played for Belgian side Kortrijk and Torpedo Moscow in Russia, said he was 'shocked' by the decision to unseat Chukwu, after a 1-1 draw against Angola in their last World Cup qualifier.
The draw put Nigeria behind leaders Angola in Group Four.
"I called him to find out what was going on and he is as confused as I am," Eguavoen told BBC Sport.
"I was very surprised to hear that Christian was suspended."
Although Eguavoen told BBC Sport that he has accepted the appointment in principle, he insisted that further talks will take place between himself and NFA Chairman Ibrahim Galadima, in order to clarify a range of issues.
"[Coaching] is a job we have chosen to do but it's a very difficult situation that we are in," Eguavoen admitted.
The former Nigeria captain said he has not spoken with any of the players regarding the crisis afflicting the national team and plans to make a scheduled trip to England next month.
"We still have two months before our next qualifier against Algeria, so we will see what happens."
But Galadima, currently with Nigeria's Under-20 side at the World Youth Championship, told BBC Sport that Eguavoen has little time to waste and should begin work immediately.
"I will not be in Nigeria for the next two weeks and things cannot be put on hold for that long," Galadima told BBC Sport from Holland on Thursday.
"The board has already decided [that he is taking over], I have discussed with him, so I do not know what he need me for.
"I have asked the chairman of the technical committee to call a meeting by Monday or Tuesday at the latest.
"This is for Eguavoen to discuss his blueprint and the way forward for us," Galadima said.