Bruno Labbadia has turned down his appointment as the new head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria three days after the appointment was confirmed.
Recall that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, confirmed in a press release via its secretary, Sir Mohammed Sanusi, that Bruno Labbadia has been appointed as the new head coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles following a recommendation from its technical committee.
The statement stated clearly that the NFF have reached an agreement with Bruno Labbadia to the effect of the coaching role.
The statement read, “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.”
German outlet claims there was no agreement between Labbadia and NFF
According to a publication by German outlet, Kicker, there was no such agreement between the NFF and Bruno Labbadia.
The report further claimed there were talks and negotiations between the two parties but an agreement was not reached. And Bruno Labbadia has decided against the contract.
“Bruno Labbadia will not be the new national coach of Nigeria. The 58-year-old German football coach had been negotiating with the Africans for a week and, according to information from kicker, decided against a contract on Friday,” Kicker reports.
The confusing development means the NFF must have announced Bruno Labbadia as Nigeria Super Eagles head coach without having the consent of the German football manager.
At the time of filing this report, the NFF have yet to issue a statement addressing the miscue but it is widely believed there must have been a miscommunication between the two parties.
Labbadia would have been Nigeria’s 37th head coach, replacing Finidi George, who resigned from the role following a fallout with the NFF.
Finidi George, who is now the head coach of an indigenous club, Enyimba of Aba, blasted the NFF for meddling in the affairs of the Super Eagles.
He was technically demoted from the role after NFF opted for a technical adviser to oversee the sporting operations of the Super Eagles. This led to his resignation.
Austin Eguavoen returns to Super Eagles coaching role
Former Super Eagles indigenous coach Austin Eguavoen is now in charge of the Nigeria Super Eagles following the bruhaha involving Bruno Labbadia and the NFF.
He will take charge of Nigeria’s double-header AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda on Saturday, September 7, and Tuesday, September 10, respectively.
It is the second time the former Nigeria U-20 and U-23 head coach will serve as interim manager of the Super Eagles after doing so from 2021 to 2022.
Nigeria Super Eagles announce Squad for AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda
Meanwhile, in preparation for the AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, the Super Eagles have named a strong-man squad for the two matches.
Stanley Nwabali, who starred for the team in 2023 AFCON, has been named in the goalkeeping options. Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye also makes the list, including the indigenous goalie from Bendel Insurance, Abas Obasogie.
William-Troost Ekong has been called up among defensive options alongside Premier League duo Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey.
Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Wobi, and Frank Onyeka lead the midfield call-ups, while Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Taiwo Awoniyi are included in the forwards list.
Full List of Invited Players
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie
Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olisa Ndah, Bruno Onyemaechi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi
