7th October, 2015
Former Super Eagles’ captain and coach, Austin Eguavoen believes 101-capped Vincent Enyeama is still the best man for the senior national team captaincy despite the recent shake-up in the team.
Chief Coach Sunday Oliseh Tuesday announced a change of baton that saw the emergence of striker Ahmed Musa as the new captain of the Eagles in what the coach described as a change he can’t help but to effect.
To Eguavoen, a 2006 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze winning coach, that issue of a team’s captaincy is a sensitive matter.
He, however, admits that the prerogative of who becomes the captain of a team lies with the Chief Coach whose choice is often guided by the prevailing team’s philosophy.
“This is a very sensitive situation, but every coach comes with his own philosophy and style of preparation, and we have to accept it.
“But, I think Vincent should continue as captain, he’s in form, he’s doing well and there’s nothing wrong with that.
However, if Oliseh has decided he wants somebody else, then Vincent and all of us have to accept it,” Eguavoen said in an interview with Brila FM early Wednesday.
Meanwhile, while defending the reason he picked Musa as the new captain, Oliseh praised Musa’s stewardship during the
AFCON qualifier against Tanzania last month and maintains that longevity and playing positions were other issues he considered.
“There’s no captain tussle. When you have a new government, you have your philosophy and way of working. As a coach
I’ve looked at the team and Nigeria going forward, I think we need a captain that will be with us for longer, who plays regularly in the front and Ahmed did a great job for us in Tanzania; under very difficult circumstances, he’s a very responsible player and will be the captain of the team, there’s no question,” Oliseh said.
Eagles are in Belgium getting set for their international friendly matches against Congo on Thursday and against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions on Sunday.
The friendly between the Eagles and Cameroon will be played at the Edmond Machtens Stadium in Brussels.
The stadium has a 11,000 capacity and it is the home ground of a Belgian second division club.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the venue change on Wednesday.
The match will be played on Sunday and kick-off time is 8pm.
The last time both countries clashed at full international level was at the 2004 AFCON with Nigeria winning 2-1 to qualify for the semi-final of the tournament in Tunisia.