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Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Peter Rufai, has expressed his delight on the Tremendous Eagles’ performances throughout their current AFCON qualifying matches towards Benin Republic and Rwanda, Soccernet.ng experiences.
The Nigerian nationwide workforce, led by interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, secured 4 factors from two matches, starting their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification marketing campaign on a optimistic observe.
In stark distinction to the disappointing outcomes below former head coach Finidi George, Nigeria began the worldwide break with a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin in Uyo.
This was adopted by a goalless draw towards Rwanda in Kigali, the place the Tremendous Eagles had a number of probabilities to win, together with an Ademola Lookman objective controversially dominated out.
Rufai, a former goalkeeper for the Tremendous Eagles, was impressed with the workforce’s self-discipline and improved efficiency below Eguavoen.
“From the primary recreation towards Benin Republic in Akwa Ibom, it was evident that the boys had improved from the final matches they performed through the World Cup qualifiers,” Rufai advised The Punch.
“The primary match was excellent. The Tremendous Eagles, below the watch of Augustine Eguavoen, had a strong efficiency. The boys did effectively, and I can say they’ve stepped up their recreation,” he added.
Rufai additionally emphasised the significance of the workforce’s tactical self-discipline and their potential to observe Eguavoen’s directions:
“My pleasure was that they performed in keeping with the directions of their coach, Eguavoen, which made all people smile on the finish of the day.”
Whereas acknowledging the problem of the second match towards Rwanda, Rufai praised the Tremendous Eagles for holding agency and stopping a house defeat:
“In a nutshell, Nigeria would have secured a breakthrough, however the opponents resisted them. That doesn’t imply Nigeria didn’t play effectively. We performed effectively. If they’d misplaced that match, it might have been extra painful than a draw.”
He concluded on an optimistic observe, stating,
“ this efficiency offers me assurance that we’re heading in the right direction to dominate.”
Nigeria will return to worldwide motion in mid-October for a doubleheader towards Libya because the AFCON qualifiers proceed.
