{
  "id": 6352963,
  "title": "Olympic qualifiers: NFF names Eguavoen Falcons interim coach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/olympic-qualifiers-nff-names-eguavoen-falcons-interim-coach",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T00:30:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/olympic-qualifiers-nff-names-eguavoen-falcons-interim-coach/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Nigeria Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has been appointed as the interim coach for the Super Falcons, the country's women's national team, for their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying matches against Comoros in October, according to PUNCH Sports Extra. Eguavoen's selection comes as the National Football Federation (NFF) continues its search for a permanent head coach. With a stellar track record, Eguavoen led the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and has also managed Nigeria's women's football league side Nasarawa Amazons. Christopher Danjuma, who currently coaches Nasarawa Amazons, will serve as the assistant coach. Olatunji Baruwa, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, will oversee the goalkeepers, while Ayisat Yusuf, a former Super Falcons defender and coach, will join as an assistant coach. Yusuf boasts an impressive 68 international caps for Nigeria and represented her country at four Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, three FIFA Women's World Cups, and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The Super Falcons opened their Olympic qualifying campaign in the second round against Comoros, with both matches scheduled for October 9 and October 13, 2026, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. The Super Falcons received a direct entry into the second round as one of the three highest-ranked teams, while Comoros advanced after defeating Sudan 30-0 on aggregate. If the Super Falcons advance past Comoros, they will face either the Democratic Republic of Congo or Morocco in the third round, followed by Tunisia, Senegal, Benin Republic, or Mali in the fourth round. The final round of the qualifying process will take place between November 23 and December 4, 2027, with the Super Falcons potentially facing one of six teams, including Guinea, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Algeria, or Burkina Faso.",
  "summary": "The NFF has named Augustine Eguavoen as the Super Falcons interim coach for the 2028 Olympic Games qualifying fixtures against Comoros in October. Read More: https://punchng.com/olympic-qualifiers-nff-names-eguavoen-falcons-interim-coach/",
  "key_points": [
    "Augustine Eguavoen named interim coach for Super Falcons, set for Olympic qualifying matches.",
    "Eguavoen led Nigeria to bronze medal in 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.",
    "Olatunji Baruwa oversees goalkeepers, Ayisat Yusuf assists as assistant coach."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The appointment of Eguavoen as interim coach signals the NFF's bid to bolster the Super Falcons' chances with experienced hands ahead of a potentially challenging Olympic qualifying campaign.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Olympic qualifiers: NFF names Eguavoen Falcons interim coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/olympic-qualifiers-nff-names-eguavoen-falcons-interim-coach-6355130",
        "published": "2026-09-09T00:44:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}