Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen on Friday passed his first test in charge of the squad, as they got a 2-0 win over Cameroon top-flight club, Cotton Sport de Garoua.
SportsDayOnline.com gathered that the game, which was played at the venue of the Eagles’ first match at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, saw Eguavoen roll out two different line-ups for each half.
He opted for an attack conscious formation for the first half, and was rewarded with a goal by skipper of the side, Ahmed Musa, then went for a packed midfield after the restart, and the second goal came from Samuel Chukwueze.
Eguavoen’s starting 11 at kick in Garoua, where the Eagles will play Egypt on Tuesday, had Emil Maduka Okoye in goal, Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi as full backs as well as William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo in central defence.
Also on from the start were Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi and Joe Aribo in midfield, Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho on the wings, as well as Taiwo Awoniyi as top striker, supported by Musa.
Only Sanusi continued into the second half, as Silas Ndah took over as right-back, with Semi Ajayi and Chidozie Awaziem in central defence.
The packed midfield had Frank Ogochukwu Onyeka, Kelechi Nwakali, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, while the top striker was Umar Sadiq, supported by Moses Simon.
However, while Eguavoen would feel satisfied with the result, Nigerian fans and analysts have been critical of factors that led the three-time African champions into playing an ‘ordinary’ club in their build-up to AFCON 2021, while other countries are facing top national teams.
