Augustine Eguavoen sends cute messages to Super Eagles fans, Jose Mourinho

The former international ignored the hurt and disappointment of the last few days to send well wishes to his compatriots and the Portuguese manager

Coach Augustine Eguavoen has sent heartfelt messages to supporters of the Super Eagles and AS Roma’s manager Jose Mourinho.

In an interim capacity, Eguavoen led the Nigerian national team to a disappointing second-round elimination at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

It is the first time the Super Eagles would be knocked out at the Round of 16 stage since it was introduced to the Nations Cup.

The abrupt exit was even more shocking considering that the Eagles played some of their best football in recent times, recording three straight wins over Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.

There were even talks of Nigeria being one of the favourites to lift the title in Cameroon, raising fans’ expectations on a team that was not given much of a chance to impress a few days to the tournament.

But all those hopes were dashed when Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the Super Eagles to dump them out of the Afcon.

Many Nigerian fans have been disappointed, hurt, and angry since Sunday after that unexpected result.

But Eguavoen, while appreciating the fans’ immense support, has urged them to keep their faith in the Super Eagles as the team will return more potent than ever.

“Our greatest strength is in the fact that we always come back stronger. Your support of the Team over the past few weeks has been exceptional.

“Thank you Naija, we will be back,” the former defender wrote on social media.

Eguavoen also sent birthday wishes to AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United tactician, regarded as one of the best in the business, turned 59 on Wednesday, January 26.

And posting a picture he took with the Portuguese manager, Eguavoen wrote: “Happy 59th Birthday to the Special One, José Mourinho.”

The Super Eagles return to action in March to face arch-rivals Ghana’s Black Stars in the FIFA World Cup final playoff round.

But it is yet unclear whether Eguavoen will continue with the team permanently or Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro, hired in December, will take over in the coming days.