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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German coach Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, the national men’s football team. The announcement was made early Tuesday via a post on the NFF’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
“The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it has finalized an agreement with German coach Bruno Labbadia to take charge as the Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, the Super Eagles,” read the statement.
The appointment was ratified by the NFF Executive Committee, following a recommendation from its Technical and Development sub-committee, as stated by the federation’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
Labbadia assumes the position as the 37th head coach of the Super Eagles, succeeding Finidi George, who resigned after a brief tenure. Finidi, who took over the role in May 2024, struggled to achieve significant victories, leaving the team in fifth place in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with only three points. His tenure saw the Super Eagles draw 1-1 against South Africa and suffer a surprising 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan.
With Labbadia’s arrival, the Super Eagles are looking to revive their campaign and improve their chances of securing a spot in the World Cup. The team is set to begin their African Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic on September 7, followed by a match against Rwanda on September 10.
Labbadia, born on February 8, 1966, is a former Bayern Munich player with a robust coaching resume that includes stints with several German clubs, such as Darmstadt 98, VfB Stuttgart, and Bayer Leverkusen. His extensive experience is expected to bring new strategies and a fresh approach to the Super Eagles as they aim for success in both continental and global competitions.
By Ebubedike Ochu
