German Tactician Takes Super Eagles Coaching Job Ahead of Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Bruno Labbadia, a seasoned German tactician, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. 

The announcement, which was made early Tuesday via the NFF’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, marks a pivotal moment for the national team as they prepare for upcoming crucial fixtures.

The NFF’s statement confirmed, “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’s national team, Super Eagles.” 

The federation’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, further elaborated that the appointment came after the NFF Executive Committee approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development sub-committee.

Labbadia’s arrival comes after the resignation of Finidi George, who had taken the reins of the Super Eagles in May 2024. 

Unfortunately, George’s tenure was short-lived, as his failure to secure convincing wins in two critical World Cup qualifying matches left the team languishing in fifth place in Group C, with just three points. 

The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw against South Africa, followed by a shocking 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in Abidjan, a result that shook confidence in the team’s ability to secure qualification.

As the 37th head coach of the Super Eagles, Labbadia brings a wealth of experience to the role, having managed several top German clubs, including Darmstadt 98, VfB Stuttgart, and Bayer Leverkusen. 

Born on February 8, 1966, Labbadia is also a former Bayern Munich player, adding to his rich football pedigree.

The Super Eagles will soon face critical matches under Labbadia’s leadership, starting with the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic on September 7. Just three days later, they will take on Rwanda. 

With Labbadia at the helm, the three-time African champions are hoping to rejuvenate their World Cup campaign and secure a place in the 2026 tournament.