Eguavoen Dismisses Claims of Easy AFCON 2027 Group for Nigeria

Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Austin Eguavoen, has dismissed claims that the Super Eagles have an easy Group L draw in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Nigerian international warned that the team must remain focused to successfully navigate the tricky, difficult Group L in the qualifiers.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, the coach fondly called Cerezo, insisted that from past experience, no team is easy anymore in African football.

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

“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,” observed the NFF Technical Director.

Eguavoen, who handled the Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, recalled the difficult encounters against the West African side.

He said: “I remember Guinea-Bissau gave us a run for our money. They are not a bad side at all. When Jose Peseiro was in charge, it was also a very tight game, although we eventually overcame them.”

The former international also warned against underrating Madagascar and Tanzania. “Madagascar are another hard nut to crack. They are a good side that has improved and evolved seriously.

“Tanzania will also be a stubborn opponent,” he concluded.

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

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