Eguavoen was appointed to guard the team at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon after the Nigerian Football Federation sacked Gernot Rohr last December.

Iwobi, who made his first start against Guinea-Bissau at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon gave more insight into the Nigerian squad under Eguavoen.

He said “I’m not too sure anything has changed playing under Eguavoen, but I feel the team is hungrier under him now, we are more of a family now on and off the pitch. We are one big family now. We are all happy to have won our three opening games. These victories show that we are ready for any opponent and it is a good signal we are sending out there to any team that wants to play Nigeria. We are doing well and we need to keep the consistency. We want to beat the best to win the AFCON and we are not getting carried away with these wins. We still have to remain focused and humble there are still more tough games to be played and we will keep doing our country proud. The No.10 role is my favourite position, however, I’m happy to play in any position the coach wants me to play in. I will give my best to the team. I don’t really mind playing out on the wings.”

Rohr was Nigeria’s longest-serving manager after taking charge in August 2016 but had his contract terminated after leading the Eagles to the 2022 World Cup qualifying play-offs and sealing a spot at the Nations Cup in Cameroon.

The Franco-German also led Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup and guided the team to third-place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Eguavoen is on the payroll of the NFF and he won’t be entitled to salary for the role he is playing as an interim coach of the team,” President of the NFF Amaju Pinnick stated recently on Arise TV.

“He will be entitled to the winning bonuses as the team progress at the tournament.”

Eguavoen has already won his opening two group games at the tournament which has sealed their place in the Round of 16 in the competition

The former Nigeria international defender is expected to arrive in Bamako, Mali today Tuesday, October 20, to formally take charge of Malien de Bamako, which entered prominence after winning the 2009 CAF Confederation Cup.

‘Former Nigeria coach, Augustine Eguavoen (55) is expected to arrive in Mali on Tuesday to take over the head coach role of the giant’s Stade Malien de Bamako,’ African Sports journalist based in Kumasi, Ghana Nuhu Adams revealed on Monday, October 19.