Confederation of African Football has named Nigeria’s interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen the best manager at the group stage of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
CAF announced this on its website after AFCON 2021 group stage, saying that its Technical Study Group shortlisted the Best of the Group Stage.
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The 56-year-old was awarded for winning the three matches at group stage.
A statement by the African football governing body said, “Augustine Eguavoen wins the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021’s Group Stage Best Manager Award!.”
9⃣/9⃣
🇳🇬 Augustine Eguavoen wins the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021’s Group Stage Best Manager Award! 💯#AFCON2021 | #TeamNigeria | @thenff | @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/87WimWuY46
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2022
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Reacting, the coach said;
Many thanks to the Confederation of African Football for this award. The Best coach of the Group stage. Wouldn’t have been possible without my fantastic group of players and colleagues. Thank you Nigerians, for your support. It’s needed now, more than ever.
🇳🇬 🦅 Many thanks to the Confederation of African Football for this award.
The Best coach of the Group stage. Wouldn’t have been possible without my fantastic group of players and colleagues.
Thank you Nigerians, for your support. It’s needed now, more than ever💚#TeamNigeria pic.twitter.com/FXE799JuP5
— Austin Eguavoen (@coacheguavoen) January 22, 2022
CAF also revealed the starting eleven and substitutes from the group stage. Two Super Eagles were included in the starting eleven with one on the bench.
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Watford defender, William Troost-Ekong and Nantes forward, Moses Simon were among the tournament best in the group stage while Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has a place among the substitutes.
#AFCON2021 Group Stage’s BEST:
✖️4⃣ #TeamCameroon
✖️3⃣ #TeamEgypt
✖️3⃣ #TeamNigeria
✖️2⃣ #TeamSenegal
✖️2⃣ #TeamMorocco
✖️2⃣ #TeamGuinea
✖️2⃣ #TeamMali
✖️1⃣ #TeamCotedIvoire
✖️1⃣ #TeamGambia
✖️1⃣ #TeamTunisia
✖️1⃣ #TeamGabon
✖️1⃣ #TeamEquatorialGuinea#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/oSrAfcSjLn— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 22, 2022
Eguavoen-led Nigerian team have been outstanding at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria had eased into the Round of 16 as group leaders, with a match to spare, courtesy of the wins over Egypt and Sudan in their two matches and the combination of other results, notably Egypt’s defeat of Guinea Bissau on Saturday.
Despite that, the team defeated Guinea Bissau 2-0 to record 100 per cent victory in their group stage.
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Apart from Eguavoen, others who bagged awards are:
Surprise Team: Comoros
Revelation Team: Equatorial Guinea, Gambia
Best Player: Vincent Abubakar (Cameroon)
Best Scorer: Vincent Abubakar (Cameroon)
Best Young Player: Ilaix Moriba (Guinea)
Best Goalkeeper: Mohamed Elshennawy (Egypt)
Meanwhile, Super Eagles of Nigeria will return to action when they take on the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in a round of 16 fixtures scheduled for Sunday, January 23, 2022.
