Osagie tips Eguavoen to win AFCON with Super Eagles
Nigeria striker, Junior Osagie, believes Super Eagles interim manager, Augustine Eguavoen, will deliver the AFCON title to Nigeria when the tournament gets underway in Cameroon next month.
'Cerezo', as the former defender is fondly called, was recently named Gernot Rohr's successor by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and handed a test campaign with the Nations Cup finals billed for Cameroon in January 2022.
Osagie, who plies his trade with Hapoel Jerusalem, says Eguavoen has the credentials to successfully prosecute the tournament and follow the steps of late Stephen Keshi to become the second former Eagles captain to with the AFCON title as a player and coach.
"I think history is beckoning on Cerezo. Remember he was Keshi's assistant in Tunisia '94 Nations Cup finals. Keshi was on the bench and he (Eguavoen), was handed the captain's armband.
"After winning the final match 2-1 against Chipolopolo of Zambia, Eguavoen handed the captain's arm band to Keshi, the Big Boss, to receive the trophy. 19 years later, in South Africa, Keshi led the Eagles as coach to win the Nations cup", recalls Osagie who once starred for Bendel insurance, Rangers, Dolphins (now Rivers United), Enyimba and Club Africain of Tunisia.
"Now, it's his time to complete the circle as the second Edo born gaffer to win the Nations Cup as captain and coach. We are praying for him. All Edo indigenes are standing behind him in prayers to attain that milestone.
"Don't forget he is a titled chief in Edo State as 'Chief Cerezo'. After the Cameroon 2022 assignment, Cerezo will also lead Super Eagles to the World Cup finals in Qatar in June 2022.
"He has the qualities and mentality to achieve success. He played the game at the highest level and has managed teams at top levels, around the World. Of course, we've a good collection good players in the present Super Eagles for Eguavoen to make title delivery in Cameroon 2022 a dream come true for Nigerians", Osagie stressed.
Osagie represented the senior national team, Super Eagles, four times during his days at the national team.