Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has issued a stern warning to the Benin Republic and Rwanda ahead of their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The 2013 AFCON champions are set to face a Gernot Rohr-led Benin side in their opening qualifying fixture, with the Super Eagles aiming for redemption in less than four days.

With high stakes involved, Eguavoen emphasised that Nigeria will respect their opponents but will fiercely defend their home turf, setting the stage for an intense and potentially fiery encounter.

“Nigeria is a nation that a lot of countries respect, and there is no difference in this one. I am very confident that we will scale through these two games and beyond. We have the materials; we have the players; we have the personnel and the support.” Eguavoen said.

He added, “The only thing we have to remind these players about is that they were almost African champions months ago. It is not even a year yet. So what went wrong? So it is still them. We will do everything we have to do as the technical crew, and of course, the Federation and Nigerians will rally around them. They are the ones to turn the table around.”

The former KAA Gent defender expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to make the nation proud.

“It is not bad. I have spoken to them. We are still going to have a series of meetings. I am very confident they will come out there and make the nation proud,” he continued.

However, he stressed the importance of respect, saying, “We will treat Benin with the utmost respect. No doubt about that, because if you disrespect fit people, you will have a problem. We will play them with big respect, but hey, this is our home.”

The Super Eagles, led by Vice Captain William Troost-Ekong and 19 others, are currently preparing for the clash in Uyo.