As the debate rages whether Augustine Eguavoen should continue as Super Eagles coach, former international Victor Ikpeba said he fears that the caretaker coach could now be made a scapegoat when he takes up the more daunting task of qualifying Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup.
Eguavoen was appointed to qualify Nigeria to the 2025 AFCON and he has since delivered.
Nigeria will in March 2025 resume their campaign for the 2026 World Cup qualifying series.
The Super Eagles are second from bottom with three points from four matches.
Ex-Super Eagles star Ikpeba said Eguavoen has done well in temporary charge of the country’s team, but he will now most likely to be blamed should be remain in charge of the team for the World Cup qualifiers.
“Eguavoen has done great with what he has done with the boys,” remarked Ikpeba, who is a long-standing member of the NFf technical committee.
“He has brought unity and commitment to the team after the terrible times some few months ago.
“Decisions now have to be made (whether he stays or go).
“What I don’t want us for Eguavoen to be a scapegoat when he does the World Cup qualifiers and we still don’t qualify even though he did not start the qualifiers.
“It is for him to decide what he wants.”
The NFF have maintained they are shopping for a foreign coach for the country.
