Labbadia Takes the Reins: NFF Appoints German Tactician as Super Eagles Head Coach

• The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appoints German coach Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.
• Labbadia's immediate challenge is to lead the team in two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda in September.

Through a statement on their official website, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of German coach, Bruno Labbadia, as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

According to NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Labbadia's appointment was approved by the NFF Executive Committee, effective immediately. The 57-year-old German tactician boasts an impressive coaching resume, having managed top-tier clubs like Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Labbadia's playing career was equally illustrious, with two caps for the German national team and a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994. He becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr.

The new coach faces an immediate challenge, with two crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda in September. The Super Eagles are currently placed in Group D, alongside familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated them in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Labbadia's appointment comes at a critical juncture for the Super Eagles, who are seeking to reclaim their dominance on the African football scene. With his wealth of experience and tactical acumen, the German coach is expected to bring a new level of discipline and direction to the team.

Nigerian football fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can replicate the successes of his predecessors, like Manfred Höner, who led the Eagles to the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations final, and Gernot Rohr, who qualified the team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

German, Bruno Labbadia, becomes 37th Head Coach of the @NGSuperEagles

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it has reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, to become the Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles. pic.twitter.com/AKq92upW4g

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) August 27, 2024