FC Robo Queens proprietor Emmanuel Osahon has called for patience with interim Super Falcons head coach Augustine Eguavoen, insisting the experienced tactician needs sufficient time to impose his ideas as Nigeria begins its qualification campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Eguavoen’s first competitive assignment with the women’s national team comes on Friday when the Super Falcons face Comoros in the first leg of their second-round Olympic qualifier at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
Osahon, who previously backed the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to appoint Eguavoen, believes expectations must be balanced with the reality that the coach has only had a short period to work with his players.
He warned against judging the new technical arrangement solely on immediate performances, stressing that implementing a fresh philosophy and developing understanding within the squad requires time.
Eguavoen was appointed on an interim basis in September and is assisted by Christopher Danjuma, Ayisat Yusuf and Olatunji Baruwa.
His preparations have also been complicated by player availability. Twenty-one players were in camp by Tuesday, while Asisat Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre were among those unavailable for the tie.
Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine were also ruled out, while youngsters Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha were released to the Flamingos.
Despite those challenges, Nigeria will be expected to overcome Comoros, who reached the second round following an extraordinary 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan. Both legs will be staged in Ikenne on October 9 and 13 because Comoros do not have a CAF-approved venue.
The Super Falcons face a lengthy road to Los Angeles, with Nigeria needing to negotiate four knockout rounds to secure one of Africa’s two Olympic tickets. Victory over Comoros would set up a third-round meeting with either Morocco or DR Congo.
For Osahon, therefore, the immediate objective is qualification, but the bigger picture is allowing Eguavoen to build.
His message ahead of Friday is simple: demand results from the Super Falcons, but give their new coach enough time to create the team capable of delivering them consistently.