Super Eagles hungry for three points against Bafana Bafana

Eguavoen was part of the NFF delegation that touched down just after 7pm on Saturday night at the Bram Fischer International Airport, with the squad ahead of tomorrow’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Toyota Stadium.

Eguavoen says Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda is a huge morale booster for the Bafana game.

"Of course, a massive game, we have no choice, Nigeria has no choice, we respect South Africa but we are gunning for three points, simple as that. Winning against Rwanda gave us motivation, it motivates us more, it was a hard earned victory, we fought for it,” Eguavoen said. 

“At the end of the day we got it, we have to consolidate it, so we are coming here to get three points, it's as simple as that."

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With Nigeria sitting six points behind South Africa in Group C and with only three matches remaining, Eguavoen has described the clash as a must-win.

Eguavoen, who knows the rivalry with Bafana well from his playing days, says there is plenty at stake beyond just the points.

"We've played a couple of times, many times, it can go either way but this is a different game, it's the World Cup Qualifiers, so the weight behind it is massive. We all know what we want, South Africa is gunning for it, respected team, very good team,” he added. 

“Hugo Broos, the coach, I know very well, way back in Belgium and we've got quality, they do also. Both teams want it so bad, at the end of the day, we will try to just triumph."

A member of the golden generation of the 1994 Nigerian team that made its maiden World Cup appearance in the United States as African champions, Eguavoen added that being part of a World Cup qualification for the fourth time would be a major milestone in his career.

"I will be so fulfilled, it will be my fourth World Cup, twice as a player, once as an assistant coach and then as a director, what a CV that would be."