By Mustapha Habeeb
August 27th, 2024
The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointment of German tactician, Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. Born on February 8, 1966, in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia had a illustrious playing career, winning the German Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 1994. He has coached several top-tier teams, including Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart, and holds a UEFA Pro License.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said in the early hours of Tuesday: “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.”
Labbadia 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. His immediate task is to prepare the team for two crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda in September, with four additional matches to follow in October and November.
As the 37th Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Labbadia has the opportunity to build on the team’s rich history, which includes three African championships and many World Cup appearances.
The new Super Eagles coach is expected to immediately receive the 40-man provisional squad list for the 2025 African Nations Cup qualifiers.
The NFF had previously submitted the list to CAF and notified the players’ clubs. Labbadia, the sixth German to coach the Super Eagles, will now select the final 23-man squad for the upcoming matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda in September. His first game in charge will be on September 7th in Uyo, followed by a trip to Kigali on September 10th.