By Sunday Agunbiade 

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has denied reports attributing his team’s 1-1 draw with the Benin Republic in Thursday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier to torrential rain in Abidjan. The match, held at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, saw the Eagles struggle before a late equalizer by Victor Osimhen salvaged a point.

Responding to allegations of his comments during the post-match conference, Eguavoen clarified on Friday via Sports World Platform, a popular WhatsApp group for sports discussions. The Nigerian Football Federation’s Technical Director stated unequivocally that he never blamed the weather conditions for the result.

In his response, the former Super Eagles captain wrote:
“Good afternoon, Honourable members of this esteemed group. I follow and read a lot of comments posted by individuals, and I have never responded before. I think it’s time to say something.

“At the post-match conference yesterday, no one talked about weather conditions. Please ask Modo Victor, who was there live. Now someone is saying Eguavoen blamed the rain for the result when we didn’t talk about weather. Many people are not being fair to me. You all have a great day.”

The Super Eagles trailed late into the game after Tijani put the Cheetahs ahead with an 81st-minute header. Osimhen’s equalizer ensured Nigeria avoided another defeat at the same venue where Benin beat them 2-1 during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.

Mixed Reactions from Fans and Experts

The incident sparked heated debates on the Sports World Platform, with group members expressing varied opinions. Some called for stricter regulation of fake news, while others advised Eguavoen to remain focused on his task.

Sunday Okechukwu:
“Coach, do your best and leave the rest to God. Stay focused, Nnam. With God on your side, the World Cup ticket is ours in Jesus’ name.”

Pius Idoko:
“Coach, you’ve done well for this team and Nigeria. Let’s focus on supporting the team’s progress if we truly care about Nigerian football. Take your flowers, coach.”

Barrister Kelechi Nweke:
“This is how some journalists fabricate stories, like they did with Finidi George and Osimhen. These baseless reports cause unnecessary drama. Let’s stay professional.”

Sunday Agunbiade:
“Coach, my apologies. Some journalists misinterpreted your comments and made misleading headlines. I listened to your post-match reactions and didn’t hear anything about weather conditions. You’ve done well by qualifying the team with two games to spare. Criticism will always exist, but misinformation is unethical.”

Tobechukwu (Tobexsports):
“Coach, take criticism and praise as fuel for growth. Nigerians rarely find satisfaction, even in victory. Keep soaring.”

Nonso Arinzechi:
“Journalism in Nigeria needs a clean-up. Reports should be based on facts, not emotions. Coach, there’s a lot of work ahead before AFCON, but you have my support.”

Mohammed Saliu:
“It’s clear some people are trying to undermine the coach’s achievements. Eguavoen has qualified us for AFCON with two games left—yet some still look for ways to bring him down. We need to stop tearing our own people down.”

Kayode:
“Coach Eguavoen, thank you for addressing this misinformation with such courtesy. Even if you had mentioned the rain, it’s valid—weather conditions often affect stronger teams more than underdogs. Journalists who write fiction should join Nollywood.”

A Call for Ethical Journalism

The incident has reignited calls for ethical practices in Nigerian sports journalism, with many urging reporters to prioritize facts over sensationalism.

Nigeria joins 14 other countries in securing a spot at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. As fans debate, the focus now shifts to preparing the team for the continental showdown.