The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed German coach Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.
Labbadia, 57, who has previously managed top-tier German clubs such as Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart, assumes his role with the three-time African champions immediately.
The NFF’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed Labbadia’s appointment early Tuesday morning. “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles,” Sanusi announced.
Born in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a successful playing career, earning two caps for Germany and winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 1994. He holds a UEFA Pro License and has an extensive coaching resume, including stints with VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Labbadia is the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of coaches like Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Notably, Höner led the team to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr guided Nigeria to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for two crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda next month. Additionally, he will oversee four more qualifiers in October and November as Nigeria aims to secure its place in the prestigious continental tournament.
While Labbadia’s lack of experience in African football has raised some concerns, his strong coaching background in the competitive German Bundesliga makes him an intriguing choice for the Super Eagles.
As Labbadia begins his tenure, Nigerian football fans will closely monitor his ability to match the achievements of his predecessors and guide the Super Eagles to success on the continental stage.
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