Eguavoen warns Super Eagles to stay focused after Nigeria drew Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in AFCON qualifiers

Austin Eguavoen, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, has warned that the Super Eagles must remain fully focused to successfully navigate a difficult Group L in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

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Nigeria was drawn alongside co-hosts Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau during Tuesday’s qualifying draw held at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo.

The 48 participating countries were placed into 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from every group qualifying for the tournament scheduled to hold from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, Austin Eguavoen dismissed suggestions that Nigeria had been handed an easy route to qualification.

“A lot of people think it’s an easy group, but I don’t think so,” Eguavoen said.

“However, considering our pedigree and our performance at the last AFCON, where we did brilliantly well, I believe we can scale through.

“We just have to approach it one game at a time.”

Austin Eguavoen recalled Nigeria’s previous meetings with Guinea-Bissau and described the West African side as stubborn opponents capable of causing problems.

“I remember Guinea-Bissau gave us a run for our money. They are not a bad side at all,” he said.

“When Jose Peseiro was in charge, it was also a very tight game, although we eventually overcame them.”

The former Super Eagles defender also cautioned against underestimating Madagascar and Tanzania, insisting that both teams have improved significantly in recent years.

“Madagascar are another hard nut to crack. They are a good side that has improved and evolved seriously,” he said.

“Tanzania will also be stubborn opponents. We met them at the last AFCON and they were tough in the first 15 to 20 minutes before we eventually came out on top.

“I still believe we will qualify, but it is going to be a very tough group.”

Austin Eguavoen currently combines his role as NFF Technical Director with responsibilities as senior adviser to Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, tagged “PAMOJA 2027”, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The tournament marks the first AFCON to be hosted by three countries and the first edition to take place in East Africa since 1976.

Nigeria previously defeated Madagascar home and away during the qualifiers for the 2012 AFCON.

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Ahead of the 2023 AFCON tournament, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau shared victories, with Guinea-Bissau securing a shock win in Abuja before the Super Eagles responded with victory in the reverse fixture in Bissau.