Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde has voiced his concerns over the recent appointment of Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach of Nigeria’s national football team.
Onigbinde’s remarks have ignited discussions about the decision and the broader issues facing Nigerian football.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially announced Labbadia’s appointment on Tuesday morning. Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary, confirmed that the NFF Executive Committee approved the decision based on the recommendation of the Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
“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. The appointment is with immediate effect,” Sanusi stated.
Labbadia, who has previously managed several clubs in Germany, takes over from Finidi George, a move that has sparked considerable debate among Nigerian football fans and analysts. Onigbinde, who has also managed the Super Eagles in the past, expressed his reservations to Complete Sports, questioning the logic behind Labbadia’s appointment.
“It is only the people who made the decision [to appoint Labbadia] who can truly explain why,”
Onigbinde remarked, highlighting a perceived lack of transparency in the decision-making process. He also pointed out that the issues plaguing Nigerian football go beyond technical concerns.
“As I always say, the problem with Nigerian football is neither technical nor administrative. No matter how skilled a coach may be, if the administration of the game is flawed, there will always be problems,” Onigbinde added, suggesting that the core issues in Nigerian football are not being adequately addressed.
Onigbinde also questioned the impact of Labbadia’s appointment given the existing talent within the Super Eagles.
“Haven’t we always had an abundance of great talent in the Super Eagles? What have the results been? When I first handled the Super Eagles, I had a team of young players. So, it’s not just about having talent,” he observed.
Labbadia’s appointment has received mixed reactions, with some critics arguing that former coach Finidi George might have been a better choice. Onigbinde’s comments underscore a broader concern about the NFF’s decision-making process and the need for a more holistic approach to tackling the challenges facing Nigerian football.
Labbadia’s immediate task will be to lead the Super Eagles in two crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic on September 7th in Uyo and Rwanda on September 10th in Kigali.
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