The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. The announcement was made via an early morning tweet on Tuesday by NFF Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi. Labbadia succeeds Finidi George and becomes the 37th head coach of the Super Eagles.
Labbadia, known for his success at top German clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg, will lead the Super Eagles in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign. The Nigerian team is set to face Benin Republic at home on September 7, followed by an away match against Rwanda three days later.
Labbadia’s appointment comes after a two-month search by the NFF, with expectations high for the German coach to bring his blend of Italian passion and German discipline to the Nigerian national team. The Super Eagles camp is scheduled to open on September 1 in Uyo to prepare for the crucial AFCON qualifiers.
This marks Labbadia’s first coaching role outside Germany, and he aims to make a significant impact in African football by guiding Nigeria to continental and global success. His focus on tactical flexibility and defensive organization is expected to strengthen the Super Eagles as they aim for AFCON glory.
